Asvel Villeurbanne-Real Madrid: first clash of a gruelling week
Chus Mateo's charges visit the French court this evening (8 pm CET), then host Fenerbahce on Thursday and Unicaja on Sunday in the league.
Real Madrid will face three games in six days between today and Sunday against Asvel Villeurbanne (8 pm CET), Fenerbahce (Thursday, 8.45 pm) and Unicaja (6.30 pm), the last two at the WiZink Center. This evening, the Whites take on the French side as they kick off the EuroLeague double-header. They do so on a court where they have been victorious on their 6 visits. The Madridistas will be aiming for their third win in a row in the competition after Alba Berlin and Barça against a physically demanding team.
In such an open EuroLeague season, where the top 12 are only separated by three wins, winning, especially on the road, is a priceless commodity. Real Madrid are in the playoff places with two more wins than Asvel, who are in 16th place after 12 matchdays. Chus Mateo’s charges will be looking to continue their good form in recent EuroLeague games with another away win to keep moving up the standings. They will be up against a side that has just beaten Anadolu Efes at home.
Madrid will have to pay close attention to their defence, as their opponents boast the best three-point percentage in the EuroLeague (40.4%). This is their biggest attacking strength, with De Colo, Paris Lee and former NBA player Maledon, who averages 17.8 points per game, being the standout performers from three-point range. On the inside, they lack depth but have the experience of Lauvergne and the energy of Sako, formerly of Manresa. Meanwhile, they are conceding 85 points on average and Madrid have averaged close to 100 in their last few games (97 against Barça and 98 against Alba Berlin). Campazzo, Hezonja, Musa and Tavares are in double figures in scoring, in a side that got Garuba back last weekend.
Unbeaten in Lyon
Madrid's record against Asvel is positive, having won 11 of the 12 encounters. Last year they triumphed by the narrowest of margins (77-78), with a double-double from Tavares. That was the sixth in a row on their home court, where Madrid have not lost, in a run that began in 2002. Tonight, the Whites are going for their seventh win of the season.