Defeat away at Anadolu Efes

Real Madrid lost away to Anadolu Efes on Matchday 2 of the EuroLeague. It was an extremely physical and closely contested match in which the home side built up a 12-point lead at half-time. Pedro Martínez’s side improved defensively in the second half and had chances to secure the win, but the home side managed the closing stages better. Campazzo was the standout performer with 16 points and a PIR of 16 on the day Nick Smith Jr. made his debut (10 points). This Thursday, our team will face Hapoel Tel Aviv in Sofia to round off this double-header.

The match kicked off with Nick Smith Jr. making his debut in Real Madrid’s starting five. The newcomer scored the first point for Pedro Martínez’s side, who found themselves trailing early on against a very physical Anadolu side, with Dozier taking center stage in attack with 8 points (15–10, min. 5). That was all the time Madrid needed to get to grips with the game. They stepped up their intensity and, led by a superb Maledon, turned the score around with a 4-14 run. The French point guard consistently created opportunities through his one-on-one play, scoring points (4) or providing assists (3). Okeke and Jantunen (11 points between them) extended the run, enabling their team to win the first quarter 27–28.

Efes regained the lead once again in the second quarter. Nick Smith Jr. kept our side ahead until the 13th minute, but turnovers severely hampered Madrid’s attack, which managed just 12 points. The Turks capitalized on the visitors’ slump and continued to shoot at a high percentage, looking more effective in attack (Mike James, Russell and Saric). An 11-0 run against them at the end of the quarter broke the deadlock before half-time (53-41).

Reaction

Madrid couldn’t find their rhythm. Feliz led the team after the break, but Efes were very comfortable in the game, scoring freely through Mike James and Strazel (67-53, min. 25). Our lads didn’t lose faith. They tightened up their defence and showed greater dynamism in attack. Campazzo’s playmaking and the frontcourt pairing of Okeke and Jantunen sparked a Madrid comeback with a 12-5 run in their favour in the closing stages of the third quarter (72-65, min. 30).

The improvement in defence wasn’t enough

Pedro Martínez’s side improved in the final quarter and never gave up on their attempt to catch up with the home side, with a defence that at times stifled their opponents. Maledon and Okeke combined to close the gap to four points at 82–78 – a gap that could have been reduced to just one had the power forward’s three-pointer gone in on the next play. The game entered the final minute with that margin, where Efes showed greater composure and managed to defend their lead (94–84, min. 40).

 

ANADOLU EFES v REAL MADRID STATISTICS

 

 

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.