Real Madrid-Virtus Bologna: looking to extend WiZink Center run
Chus Mateo's boys, unbeaten on their own turf, play the first of the week's three home games this evening (8:45 pm CET).
Another intense week gets underway for Real Madrid, as they gear up for a EuroLeague double-header at the WiZink Center, plus another League clash. Chus Mateo's team welcome Virtus Bologna to town this evening (8:45 pm CET) as they hope to extend their seven-game unbeaten run at home so far (4 in the League, 3 in Europe).
Sunday marked the beginning of a streak of five home games inside 11 days, and the team got off to a winning start against Dreamland Gran Canaria. After victories at the WiZink Center over Partizan, Panathinaikos and KK Crvena zvezda, all eyes tonight will be on a fourth successive EuroLeague win. Real Madrid and Virtus have crossed paths eight times in the competition, with honours even at four victories each - though Madrid have won the last three.
Both teams share similar defensive records at this stage: an average of 82.5 points conceded for Madrid, to Virtus's 83.4. Up the other end though, our boys look stronger on points scored. Campazzo has been spearheading the offense, as demonstrated by his 14 points in the final quarter against Gran Canaria. The Argentine's peerless pace-setting and the link-up with his teammates (7.4 assists in EuroLeague) may well make the difference in tonight's game.
Key areas against Virtus Bologna
Chus Mateo's charges will have to pay close attention to the Italian outfit's individual talent. They boast great players throughout the squad, including the outstanding Shengelia (14.9 points) and Cordinier (13.8). Going the other way, Tavares and Ibaka will be tasked with stopping Zizic and Diouf.