Real Madrid-Barça: chasing a 4th straight Clásico win in the EuroLeague
Scariolo’s boys won the first-round clash at the Palau, and will now be looking to claim their 14th win in the competition at the Movistar Arena (8:45 pm CET).
This week brings another Clásico clash, this time in the EuroLeague. Real Madrid and Barça got head to head at the Movistar Arena in Round 22. Our team, the best home side in the competition, will aim to extend their winning streak in European Clásicos, having taken the last three on the bounce. The most recent came in the first half of this campaign, with a 92 a 101 success at the Palau Blaugrana.
This is the first of two games in a demanding week - today’s Clásico comes ahead of Sunday’s league clash against Valencia Basket. In the EuroLeague, an important stretch awaits in the final two weeks of January, with three more games still to play: Milan and Monaco at home, and Paris Basketball away. Madrid and Barça are neck and neck in Europe, with the Catalans holding the edge by a single game (14 to 13 wins). Victory tonight would put Scariolo’s team ahead in the standings.
Madrid, the best on home turf
Our team has made the Palacio almost impregnable, with nine wins in 10 games. They also come in on a three-game EuroLeague winning run (Dubai Basketball, Asvel, and Maccabi). Xavi Pascual’s side, winners of their last two (Maccabi and Partizan), stand out in three-point shooting (nearly 39%), offensive rebounding, and steals. Madrid will need to limit Barça’s accuracy from the perimeter and dominate the boards — key factors in recent Clásicos.
Barcelona’s offense revolves around Punter and Shengelia (if Clyburn is out), while Real Madrid spreads the scoring more evenly. Four players average double digits: Lyles (14), Hezonja (12.5), Campazzo (12.1), and Maledon (11.7). The American power forward was superb in the Palau win, posting a personal-best 29 points, and is already among Madrid’s top scorers in his debut EuroLeague season. Our team has won the last three EuroLeague Clásicos since November 28, 2024 (90-97, 96-91, and 92-101), and the overall European record stands at 21-18 in Madrid’s favour. Tonight, they’ll look to make it four in a row at home.