Carlos Ortega's new Barça debuted in the 2023-24 Champions League with a blow of authority on the Montpellier court (25-30) led by a brutal Dika Mem. The Frenchman, new captain, assumed absolute leadership of the team –without references such as Fàbregas, Cindric and Pérez de Vargas (on leave) – with 8 goals. A debut accompanied by the emergence of the very young center back Petar Cikusa, who made his debut with four goals and an exhibition of nerve and self-confidence.
At the Sud de France Arena in Montpellier, Barça appeared for its European debut with the absences of Haniel Langaro (injury) and goalkeeper Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas (due to his upcoming paternity), a significant absence, since Emil Nielsen would not have a rest .
The Blaugrana team came out with aggression and intensity, warned of the scare they got on the first day of the Asobal League in Bidasoa (26-26). With the baton initially in the hands of Mem -Ortega does not quite trust Pol Valera to be the starting center back-, and with Frade assuming more weight to replace Ludo Fàbregas, Barça took a first lead of 2 goals (1-3 , 2-4), but he did not know how to extend it and began to crash against the French defense, which left him blank for 7 minutes. The 4-1 partial that they conceded in five minutes to find themselves 5-4 down (m. 10) was worrying.
With Mem pulling his weight, as the new captain and leader of the team, Ortega's men regained the initiative and control of the match with a 3-7 and five goals from Dika (8-11). Three goals that gave confidence to the Blaugrana team and led Ortega to use Valera as a center back and Javi Rodríguez in the pivot, giving Frade a rest.
Nielsen's 8 saves (39% effectiveness), well protected by a good defense, in addition to the 7 goals (7 of 8 shots) from a stratospheric Dika Mem, more leader than ever, allowed Barça to reach the break with a maximum advantage of 5 (11-16) and the duel well on track.
After going through the locker room, Barça reappeared too relaxed. They conceded a 5-2 run in 7 minutes and saw Montpellier get dangerously close (16-18). Ortega had to call a timeout so that control of the match did not slip away. The tactical move surprised: the Malaga coach dared to give minutes and responsibility to the young center back Petar Cikusa, instead of trusting Valera or Richardson in the direction. The pearl of the quarry, brave and unapologetic, responded with two superb goals.
Recovering defensive intensity and with N'Guessan, Aleix and Cikusa scoring, Barça regained its momentum to avoid being surprised (17-22, at 46m). Mem scored 6 (17-23) that sealed the duel with 14 minutes remaining, but had to leave with muscle discomfort.
With Cikusa's 19-26, the young central defender's third goal, the duel was more than settled with 10 minutes remaining. Montpellier threw in the towel. And other young values, Ian Barrufet on the wing, with two goals, and Filip Saric, in goal, -both sons of two legendary goalkeepers, David Barrufet and Daniel Saric- joined the party.
The next day, on Thursday the 21st, Barça will host the current champion, Magdeburg, at the Palau Blaugrana (8:45 p.m.); an opportunity to get even for the defeat in the semifinals of the final four in Cologne, in June.
Montpellier: Desbonnet, Karlsson (3), Villeminot (2), Pellas (2), Ahmed Hesham (5), Marko Panic, Lenne (1), Skube (1), Karl Konan, Adrien Dubois (2), Guigon, Bryan Monte (4), Valentin Porte (2), Berthier (1), Nacinovic (2).
Barça: Nielsen, Aleix Gómez (6, 3p), Mem (8), Petrus, Frade (3), N'Guessan (3) and Wanne; Richardson, Pol Valera, Carlsbogard (1), Javi Rodríguez (1), Janc (2), Ian Barrufet (2), Petar Cikusa (4), Jaime Gallego, Filip Saric (ps).
Referees: Vaidas Mazekia, Mindaugas Gatelis (Lithuania). They excluded N’guessan (7’), Javi Rodriguez (21’), Frade (34’) and Petrus (37’ and 44’); Porte (2’), Lenne (5’), Nacinovic (24’) and Pellas saw a red card in the 34th.
Partials: 1-3, 4-4, 6-6, 7-10, 10-13, 11-16 (rest); 14-17, 16-18, 17-21, 19-25, 21-28, 25-30.
