Real Madrid v Olympiacos: first EuroLeauge game at WiZink Center
Chus Mateo's charges open a double matchweek in the continental competition with the visit of the Greek side (8:45pm CET).
Real Madrid is about to embark a run of three games in five days, with this demanding week starting with a EuroLeague double-header at the WiZink Center, followed by a league road trip to Baskonia at the weekend. This will be the Whites' first home match-up in Europe's elite competition, with Olympiacos providing the opposition for the Round 3 encounter 8:45pm CET. Chus Mateo's troops will be out to rack up a second win of the EuroLeague season against opponents who have made an impressive start to the campaign.
The madridistas will be seeking to build on the good vibes following the last two league games at the WiZink Center, which yielded triumphs over Obradoiro 93-79 and Joventut 96-79 following a superb second-half performance. Chus Mateo warned in his pre-match press conference that he expects a tough game. The Greeks have prevailed in both of their first two EuroLeague games, against Barça and Zalgiris.
The madridistas will be seeking to build on the good vibes following the last two league games at the WiZink Center, which yielded triumphs over Obradoiro 93-79 and Joventut 96-79 following a superb second-half performance. Chus Mateo warned in his pre-match press conference that he expects a tough game. The Greeks have prevailed in both of their first two EuroLeague games, against Barça and Zalgiris.
Real Madrid v Olympiacos game is a classic European match-up that has served up some sensational contests, such as the final that brought the club's eighth continental crown in Zaragoza and the ninth in Madrid, or the Greeks' triumph in the 2013 title decider. This will be the 35th time the two teams have locked horns in the EuroLeague. Our team hold the upper hand with a record of 19-15. Last time round, Madrid ran out 75-67 winners. Meanwhile, Mateo's side have come out on top in Olympiacos's last four visits to the Spanish capital.
Keys areas
Bartzokas has strengthened his roster in virtually every position following the additions of Peters, Bolomboy and Canaan, amongst others. Olympiacos, who lie second top in the EuroLeague PIR standings 107, boast the experienced Vezenkov, MVP in Round 2 and who has averaged 21.5 points and 11 rebounds, in their ranks. Our side certainly aren't bereft of defensive options, with the likes of Tavares, Yabusele, Deck and Cornelie. A defensively solid performance will be one of the keys to keeping the Greeks' attack at bay and recording a win in the first home outing of the EuroLeague campaign.
Keys areas
Bartzokas has strengthened his roster in virtually every position following the additions of Peters, Bolomboy and Canaan, amongst others. Olympiacos, who lie second top in the EuroLeague PIR standings 107, boast the experienced Vezenkov, MVP in Round 2 and who has averaged 21.5 points and 11 rebounds, in their ranks. Our side certainly aren't bereft of defensive options, with the likes of Tavares, Yabusele, Deck and Cornelie. A defensively solid performance will be one of the keys to keeping the Greeks' attack at bay and recording a win in the first home outing of the EuroLeague campaign.