Madridistas looking for sixth EuroLeague win on the bounce
Real Madrid get December underway with a tough trip away against leaders Fenerbahçe (6:45 pm CET).
A EuroLeague classic is in store, as leaders Fenerbahçe 9-1 take on third-placed Real Madrid 7-3 in Istambul. Chus Mateo‘s men will be hoping to continue their winning streak by picking up a sixth consecutive victory in the competition - but to do so, they must beat a side that is yet to taste defeat at home this season. This will be the Whites’ first matchup of what will be a challenging month of December, that will see Madrid in action ten times in the space of 28 days.
This fixture sees two of Europe’s most in-form sides go head-to-head in round 11. The hosts are on a run of four straight wins and remain unbeaten at home. Meanwhile, the madridistas go into the clash with one of the best records on the road, having emerged victorious from three of their four outings away from the WiZink Center Panathinaikos, Milan and Valencia Basket. Today’s game will no doubt be one of their most challenging and Chus Mateo‘s charges will have to perform at their best, while turning to the whole squad to get through this stern test.
This fixture sees two of Europe’s most in-form sides go head-to-head in round 11. The hosts are on a run of four straight wins and remain unbeaten at home. Meanwhile, the madridistas go into the clash with one of the best records on the road, having emerged victorious from three of their four outings away from the WiZink Center Panathinaikos, Milan and Valencia Basket. Today’s game will no doubt be one of their most challenging and Chus Mateo‘s charges will have to perform at their best, while turning to the whole squad to get through this stern test.
Defence and rebounding will be crucial. Madrid will have to be at their best at the back, like in the last two league games where they have averaged an impressive 56 points against, to halt the second-best offence in the competition 86.9 points. Fenerbahçe are a well-balanced unit, with decent shooting percentages both from the three-point line and near the hoop. They will be without the injured Wilbekin Madrid will also be without Yabusele, Hanga, Rudy, Alocén and Randolph, but their back-up players have made a big difference. Calathes, Hayes-Davis and Motley comprise the spine of the league leaders along with Guduric and Edwards. Madrid have a more dominant edge in terms of rebounding and in the paint, and will need to capitalise on this if they are to have any chance of prevailing.
The first of four games on the road
This is certainly a critical month for the madridistas in the EuroLeague, with four of the six games to be played on the road - this evening's matchup in Istanbul, then Bayern Munich, Zalgiris and Baskonia. It will be the 22nd time the Whites have gone head-to-head with Fenerbahçe in this competition, with a 21-10 record, beating the Turks in seven of the last eight meetings.
The first of four games on the road
This is certainly a critical month for the madridistas in the EuroLeague, with four of the six games to be played on the road - this evening's matchup in Istanbul, then Bayern Munich, Zalgiris and Baskonia. It will be the 22nd time the Whites have gone head-to-head with Fenerbahçe in this competition, with a 21-10 record, beating the Turks in seven of the last eight meetings.