Real Madrid-Barça: A clásico at the top of the Euroleague
Chus Mateo's side go in search of their fourteenth win in a match among the competition's joint-leaders (7pm CET).
The Euroleague returns to the WiZink Center this afternoon with a Clásico, twenty days after the win against Maccabi. Real Madrid welcomes Barça in round 21 of the season in a match between two of the top four teams in the standings with 13 wins along with Olympiacos and Monaco. The overall basket average is in our favour and Chus Mateo's team will be looking for their fourteenth European victory against Barça and to finish the month of January at the top of the table.
Madrid's have a double objective for this third Clásico of the season: to win and to improve their own basket average. In view of the extremely close nature of this Euroleague, where after 20 rounds three wins separate the top 11, the head-to-head clashes will also have great importance. Barça won the first match by just two points 75-73. The basket average is exactly what puts us in second place ahead of Fenerbahçe +48 and the blaugranas, who are fourth +76. With three wins in our last four games in this competition, while Jasikevicius' men managed two wins and two defeats.
Madrid's have a double objective for this third Clásico of the season: to win and to improve their own basket average. In view of the extremely close nature of this Euroleague, where after 20 rounds three wins separate the top 11, the head-to-head clashes will also have great importance. Barça won the first match by just two points 75-73. The basket average is exactly what puts us in second place ahead of Fenerbahçe +48 and the blaugranas, who are fourth +76. With three wins in our last four games in this competition, while Jasikevicius' men managed two wins and two defeats.
The statistics on the court indicate that Madrid score more points and concede fewer, we're better on the rebounding, assists, blocks and two-point shooting percentage. Barça, on the other hand, make fewer turnovers and are the second best three-point shooters. All that has to be proven, but as usual, the Clásico will be decided by who wins the small battles within the game itself: intensity, the contested turnovers, moments of inspiration from the players, etc... One aspect, however, has been crucial in the three previous Clásicos: the rebounding. Whichever team dominates the rebound wins the game.
Madrid's record
Our superiority on the paint is especially strong with Tavares leading the way 17.9 PIR. The team's strength doesn't fall solely on the inside game, however, as there is a real balance between the outside and inside game. 52.4% of the points originate from the outside positions and the other 47.6% from the tall men. Barcelona are much more dependent on their outside play, accounting for more than 60% of their scoring. Today, we wrap up the month in the Euroleague with the 33rd Clásico.
Madrid's record
Our superiority on the paint is especially strong with Tavares leading the way 17.9 PIR. The team's strength doesn't fall solely on the inside game, however, as there is a real balance between the outside and inside game. 52.4% of the points originate from the outside positions and the other 47.6% from the tall men. Barcelona are much more dependent on their outside play, accounting for more than 60% of their scoring. Today, we wrap up the month in the Euroleague with the 33rd Clásico.