Real Madrid-Bayern Munich: EuroLeague returns to WiZink Center
After four consecutive outings, the leaders host Madrid legend Pablo Laso's side (8:45pm CET).
Real Madrid return to EuroLeague action at the WiZink Center. 21 days after beating Alba Berlin and two away double-headers, Chus Mateo's charges face Pablo Laso's Bayern Munich on round 14. Laso returns to the club he spent 11 years at, where he became one of the club's legendary coaches. The competition leaders will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run on their home court.
The Whites have not played in front of their home fans since 23 November. Since then, there have been four impressive outings with a record of three wins (Maccabi, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos) and one narrow defeat in overtime (Fenerbahçe). Madrid top the standings with 12 wins in 13 games and are two victories ahead of the second-placed team. They host Bayern Munich, who are 13th (6-7), but are two wins away from fourth place. They have also won three of their last four fixtures.
The team goes into the clash on the back of two victories in Athens and one at the WiZink Center against Gran Canaria. Despite the flurry of matches, the madridistas have had three days to prepare for the visit of the Germans and remain undefeated at home. The Whites have won all six home games by an average of 16.6 points (Zalgiris, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Barça, Virtus Bologna, Monaco and Alba Berlin). The head-to-head tally against the German side is 10-3 in Madrid's favour.
A big incentive
On the visitors' bench, the second most successful coach in the basketball team's history, Pablo Laso, will be sitting. In the 11 seasons he was coach of Madrid, he won 22 trophies and holds the record for games coached (860) and victories (659). Today he returns with Bayern, a team that has strengthened nicely with the arrival of Bolmaro, Edwards, Booker and Francisco, Ibaka, another ex-Madrid player, has added another dimension to the team. They also have experienced players such as Obst, Weiler-Babb and Bonga. They are the leaders in rebounding, which means it will be a tough contest in the paint against a Madrid team with the best inside game in Europe. Today, Madrid will be looking for their 13th EuroLeague victory.