FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.04.2007 10:58

The opposition's strengths

Winterthur FC Barcelona take on Badalona-based side DKV Joventut on Thursday in Round 30 of the ACB League. The two sides are in direct competition in the title Play-Off.

The Catalan derby always creates high expectation and this time will be no different as Barça and DKV Joventut go head-to-head after what has been an impressive campaign by both teams. The encounter will be "a very interesting one", according to Barça's assistant coach Xavi Pascual, who outlined the key strengths of the visiting team.

Counter and rebound

"On the counter and the offensive rebound, they are very dangerous," Pascual explained. "They are very strong in those areas. When thye push forward everyone runs very quickly, their inside players as well as their wide men. On the offensive rebound one has to take into account that they have caught 14 rebounds per game on average. They also have other areas like their mobility, their strength in defence which will have to be watched, but they are things that other teams have that we are already used to."

Game of patience

Dusko Ivnaovic's side will have to be "patient when going forward", Pascual continued. "The defensive strength that DKV Joventut have can leave spaces that could see us create shooting chances. Because of that we have to wait, move the ball well and have a clear understanding of what we want to do."

Twice before

Barça and DKV Joventut have already met on two occasions this season. In the first encounter, in Badalona, the Blaugrana were beaten 78-72 , but they avenged that reverse in the semi final of the Copa del Rey with a 70-84 victory of their own. "It is difficult to know if those games will give any indication of what to expect," Pascual added. "We do always work with references to improve our game though."