In a stunning display of dominance, AS Mónaco secured their second consecutive victory against FC Barcelona in the Euroleague playoffs, winning 92-79 on April 25, 2025. This result leaves Barcelona on the brink of elimination, trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five series.
The game, held at the Salle Gaston Médecin, saw Mónaco capitalize on their home court advantage, showcasing a cohesive team effort that overwhelmed the visitors. Alpha Diallo and Mouhammadou Jaiteh were the standout performers for Mónaco, combining for an impressive 41 points, while the Barcelona side struggled to find their rhythm.
Mónaco took control early, ending the first quarter with a 26-19 lead. Diallo set the tone, scoring 15 points in the opening period alone, effectively establishing Mónaco's offensive momentum. Barcelona's inability to adjust to Mónaco’s aggressive play was evident, as they continued to repeat mistakes from their previous game.
As the match progressed, Mónaco maintained their intensity, leading 49-40 at halftime. The second quarter proved to be crucial, with Mónaco outscoring Barcelona 23-21, despite the latter's attempts to rally. Barcelona's Tomas Satoransky, who faced boos from the crowd for a controversial play in the first game, managed to score 9 points, but it wasn’t enough to shift the momentum.
The third quarter was particularly damaging for Barcelona, as Mónaco unleashed a barrage of scoring, racking up 31 points compared to Barcelona's 24. Jaiteh emerged as a key figure, finishing the game with 20 points, showcasing his ability to dominate the paint. Mónaco's lead swelled to 16 points by the end of the third quarter (80-64), leaving Barcelona in a precarious position.
Despite a late surge from Barcelona, which included a brief 7-0 run, they were unable to recover from the deficit. The final quarter saw Mónaco maintain their composure, effectively managing the game to secure the victory. The match ended with a final score of 92-79, pushing Barcelona to the edge of elimination.
Barcelona's head coach, Joan Peñarroya, expressed disappointment in his team's performance, noting, "We need to learn from these losses and come back stronger. We have to play harder and smarter if we want to stay in this series." The team will now return to Barcelona, where they must win three consecutive games to avoid being knocked out of the playoffs.
The series will continue on April 30, 2025, at the Palau Blaugrana, where Barcelona will be looking to turn the tide against a Mónaco team that has shown remarkable consistency and confidence. Peñarroya emphasized the importance of the upcoming game, stating, "We need to protect our home court and show our fans that we can compete at this level."
As the playoffs progress, the pressure mounts for Barcelona, who last won the Euroleague title in 2010. With their backs against the wall, they will need to find a way to counter Mónaco's potent attack, particularly focusing on neutralizing their key players, including Diallo and Jaiteh, who have proven to be formidable threats.
In a series that has already featured intense physical play and high stakes, the upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Fans are eagerly anticipating how Barcelona will respond to this challenging situation, as they aim to avoid a devastating exit from the tournament.
With the next game looming, the atmosphere in Barcelona is charged with urgency. The team knows the significance of winning at home, and every player will need to step up their game. The challenge is clear: adapt, overcome, and fight for their place in the Euroleague Final Four.
