• Barcelona are big favorites in their semi-final against Nantes on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Cologne in the semi-final of the Champions League.

  • The Spaniards have not lost a single game in the various competitions of 2020-2021.

  • The "H" is forced to achieve a capital feat to reach the second Champions League final in its history.

If they won on Saturday in Cologne, against Barcelona, ​​in the semi-finals of the Champions League, the superlatives might be missing. This season, please, in the most prestigious European Cup, HBC Nantes sent to the mat the reigning European champion Kiel (in the group stage), Kielce in the round of 16 and Veszprem in the quarterfinals. final. This time it's Barcelona, ​​unbeaten this season in the domestic league (and the Copa del Rey) and the Champions League. Finally, no, the Spaniards lost to Kiel in the Champions League final this season, but it was during the Final Four 2020, which was postponed to December due to the health crisis. In short, Barcelona are rolling over all their opponents in all the 2020-2021 competitions.

“When you see what Barcelona have done this season, you can only admire this team, admits Nantes coach Alberto Entrerrios.

The Spaniards are favorites every year in the Champions League, despite this, they have not won it since 2015. “During the group stage, the Nantes have bit the dust twice.

However, in February, the Nantes side had lost only one goal (30-29) in Spain.

“We even managed to beat them…”, remembers captain Rock Feliho.

It was in 2017 at the XXL room in Nantes with a success (29-25).

The "H" is "capable of extraordinary things"

For this semi-final, Barça de Fabregas, Sorhaindo, Palmarsson or Mem is the favorite. “It's 70/30, I would even say 80/20, notes Feliho, who will retire from sports after this German weekend. But, even if we only have 20%, we will take our chance. We are capable of doing extraordinary things. "The Nantes captain urges his partners" not to play a normal game "or" not to play at their own pace, at their convenience ".

Nantes, team in shape of the moment?

"I hear that all over the place, OK, that's good," Feliho smiles.

But, Barcelona are cut out to win the Champions League.

There can be no underperformance on their part.

They are forced to beat us, the pressure is on them.

For us, the goal is to have no regrets.

[…] If there is a small door ajar, we won't just put our heads in!

"

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  • Sport

  • Champions League

  • Handball

  • Nantes

  • HBC Nantes

  • FC Barcelona

  • Cologne