Real Madrid 96-91 FC Barcelona: Performance to be proud of

A painful defeat en El Clásico (96-91). Barça were in the game until the end, but couldn't quite get over the line against Real Madrid.

A competitive Barça

The blaugranes are going through a tough time injury-wise and this second European El Clásico was always going to be a difficult encounter. However, Barça started well, with Satoransky, Brizuela and Parker all contributing to the first quarter lead (14-21).

First team debut for Raul Villar

A piece of good news too, as homegrown Raul Villar made his debut towards the end of the quarter with Barça in the lead (23-25). The second quarter was more to and fro, with neither side managing to put some distance from the other.

Ahead at half-time

Peñarroya made the most of Parra's strength against smaller defenders and Metu scored a triple, but despite playing well, the blaugranes couldn't quite shake off the all-whites completely. All the same, a triple by Justin Anderson meant a lead at the break (40-43).

In the game

The third quarter tested Barça's resilience, with an Abalde leading Real Madrid's charge. Parker was inspired for the blaugranes, but the El Clásico soon looked like it might be unrecoverable as the home side went +11 (69-58). However, a 1-9 partial, including seven points from an excellent Metu and two from Brizuela, left it all to play for with a quarter to go (70-67).

Cruel ending

Not a great start to the fourth either (75-67), but Barça and Metu weren't going to let this one go. Metu needed assistance and there was Joel Parra to reduce the gap on several occasions. Then came Jabari Parker with a big triple (86-86) with just over one minute to go.

However, the all-whites scored again, and despite every Barça effort, a foul by Brizuela led to the free throws being converted, final score 90-86. A defeat, but a performance to be proud of.

GAME STATS

Real Madrid: 96
Barça: 91

Real Madrid: Campazzo (18), Rathan-Mayes (0), Musa (16), Garuba (4) and Tavares (5) - starting five - Abalde (16), Hugo González (0), Hezonja (19), Ibaka (5), Bruno Fernando (6), Llull (7) and Feliz (0).

Barça: Satoransky (7), Abrines (2), Anderson (15), Parker (18) i Fall (0) - starting five - Sarr (0), Brizuela (10), Metu (17), Hernangómez (2), Keita (-), Parra (20) and Villar (0).

Quarters: 23-25, 40-43, 70-67, 96-91.

Referees: Ilija Belosevic, Borys Ryzhyk and Milos Koljensic.