Real Madrid-Alba Berlín: Madridistas looking for fifth EuroLeague victory
The Whites, who have emerged victorious from their last two games in this competition, are at home against stern opposition (8:45 pm CET).
Real Madrid have a challenge on their hands as they take on Alba Berlin on matchday eight of the EuroLeague. Chus Mateo’s charges have made a promising start to the month of November, picking up two wins on the bounce against Armani Milan and Anadolu Efes, two sides aspiring to make it into the Final Four. Today’s opponents are currently one of the hottest teams in the European competition and the madridistas will have to be at their best if they are to secure a fifth EuroLeague win. This will be the first of two outings that will be played at the WiZink Center this week before UCAM Murcia on Sunday.
The madridistas seem to have found some consistency in the EuroLeague and will be vying to keep that going with another victory in their bid to move up in the standings, in which only two victories separate first and ninth place. Meanwhile, Alba Berlin have slipped to tenth place on the back on four straight defeats, but the German outfit sat top of the table up until matchday three.
The madridistas seem to have found some consistency in the EuroLeague and will be vying to keep that going with another victory in their bid to move up in the standings, in which only two victories separate first and ninth place. Meanwhile, Alba Berlin have slipped to tenth place on the back on four straight defeats, but the German outfit sat top of the table up until matchday three.
This will be a stern test for the Madrid defence, who average 77.8 points against, and if they manage to repeat this defensive pattern, they will have a good chance of securing the win. The Berliners are a very offensive team - topping the assist charts – with very a quick and direct style of play. The Germans are dangerous on the counterattack and from the three-point line averaging 11 three-point plays out of 27, almost hitting the 40% mark for shooting percentages. Power forward Sikma spearheads the team, and his versatility can cause opponents real problems, but the visitors also possess a wide range of clinical players like Lo, Olinde, Smith, Blatt and Thiemann.
The rebound
In terms of rebounding, the Whites have an impressive record. Musa 13.4 puntos, Deck 13.6 and Tavares 10.9 lead the way in offensive rebounding. The hosts will be without Yabusele, who was forced off the court through injury against Anadolu Efes, but Williams-Goss will be available. Rebounding will be a decisive factor and the battle in the paint is one of the fiercest in European basketball. The competition’s two best rebounders and the two most intimidating players go head-to-head in the paint: Tavares 2.22 m against Koumadje 2.23 m. Deck will also have a key role to play under the hoop. The Argentine is the madridistas’ best rebounder, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game. This will be the 13th time these two sides have battled it out in the EuroLeague, and Madrid have come out on top on both occasions.
The rebound
In terms of rebounding, the Whites have an impressive record. Musa 13.4 puntos, Deck 13.6 and Tavares 10.9 lead the way in offensive rebounding. The hosts will be without Yabusele, who was forced off the court through injury against Anadolu Efes, but Williams-Goss will be available. Rebounding will be a decisive factor and the battle in the paint is one of the fiercest in European basketball. The competition’s two best rebounders and the two most intimidating players go head-to-head in the paint: Tavares 2.22 m against Koumadje 2.23 m. Deck will also have a key role to play under the hoop. The Argentine is the madridistas’ best rebounder, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game. This will be the 13th time these two sides have battled it out in the EuroLeague, and Madrid have come out on top on both occasions.