By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The first Clasico of the 2020-21 EuroLeague season is taking place Friday (23/10) when Barcelona will host archrival Real Madrid at Palau Blaugrana. An empty, due to the coronavirus safety protocols, Palau Blaugrana that is.
Fans have always been an important part of these clashes between the two Spanish powerhouses. Their absence will strip some of the game’s unique character, and that’s something that both Barcelona coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and Real Madrid coach Pablo Laso agree with.
“A Clasico without fans loses 50 percent,” Jasikevicius said for Barcelona TV prior to the game. “It’s clear to the player and coaches that competing against your great rival is an exciting challenge, but we have to put up with it anyway, we have to get through this time and hopefully people can come back as soon as possible.”
A Clasico is always a Clasico, even if we play with no fans making it lose a big part of the special atmosphere surrounding these games,” Laso said in his pre-game comments.
“It’s still a great game,” Laso added. His Real Madrid will look to recover following two straight losses and a 1-3 record in EuroLeague. Barcelona, on the other hand, can improve to 4-1 with a win.