The FC Barcelona roller hockey side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Portuguese team Porto on match day six of the Champions League at the Palau Blaugrana. Two first half goals from the visitors was enough for victory despite the blaugranes having plenty of chances to get on the scoresheet.
Porto now leapfrog above Barça into top spot in group A in the competition but with still four games to go in the initial phase. Ricard Ares’ team face their next challenge in the Champions League with an away trip to SCRA St. Omer v Barça on Thursday 26 February.
Porto strike early
The Portuguese team were quick out of the blocks and sharp in front of goal in the first half. On 10 minutes they were ahead when Rafa Costa’s long rang effort found a way through. Just before half time the visitors doubled their lead with Ezequiel Mena making it 2-0.
In the second half Barça had a chance to get themselves back into the game but Xavi Malian saved Xavi Barroso’s penalty. Chances came and went for the blaugranes with Alabart coming very close to pulling one back on 42 minutes, his effort flying just wide.
Nevertheless, it was not to be for Ricard Ares’ team and when Pablo Álvarez’s late chance failed to hit the target, the last hope of avoiding defeat in the Palau went out the window.
MATCH STATS
BARÇA, 0
PORTO, 2
Barça: Sergi Fernández, Alabart, Barroso, Marc Grau, Sergi Llorca -starting five- Eloi Cervera, Ferran Font, Sergi Aragonés, Pablo Álvarez.
Porto: Xavi Malian, Helder Nunes, Edu Lamas, Gonçalo Alves, Carlo di Benedetto -starting five- Telmo Pinto, Ezequiel Mena, Rafa Costa, Pol Manrubia.
Goals: 0-1, Rafa Costa (min 10). 0-2, Ezequiel Mena (min 25).
