Record-breaking Madrid beat Bayern

It was special night of records and reunions for all at the WiZink Center in the game against Bayern Munich for the 14th Euroleague fixture of the regular season. Records because with the win against the German side, their 13th in 14 games, Real Madrid equalled their best ever start in this competition, which came in 2013/14, and the highest number of wins in a year, reaching 68 in 2019. And of reunions because Pablo Laso, a Madrid legend, returned to what was his home as coach for 11 years. Chus Mateo's side are still unbeaten at home in Europe. Sergio Rodríguez, Llull and Rudy were all key players in the last quarter; Poirier was the best with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 20 PIR.

The emotional welcome for Laso by the Madrid fans and the awarding of November MVP to Campazzo made way for an exchange of runs in a very even first quarter. An 8-0 start from Madrid was answered by Bayern's 2-8. From then on, the game stabilised, although the Germans were slightly more effective in attack with their four three-pointers. Causeur (6 points) and Ndiaye (5 rebounds) were the leaders in the opening minutes (19-23, min.10).

Madrid finds the balance​

Sergio Rodríguez and Deck took the reins for Madrid in attack and Poirier continued the team's good work on offensive rebounds. However, Bayern kept up a very physical game in which Ibaka took centre stage. But something had changed in defence in this period. We were much more aggressive in the passing lanes and we cut off the opposition's scoring from three-pointers. And then Llull appeared and, when he did, he set the hearts of everyone in the WiZink Center racing. Seven almost consecutive points in just over two minutes led a 24-13 run in the second quarter to go five up at half-time (42-37).

Madrid stepped it up a gear after the break. Bayern did not shy away from the challenge. But there was Campazzo. The Argentine took command (9 points in this quarter) and with the help of Hezonja in the triple (2) managed to raise the difference to +12 with 57-45 at the halfway point of the third quarter. A quick response from Edwards was the key to prevent Madrid from taking off (63-57, min.30).

The leadership of the Sergios and Rudy guides us to victory
 
The Germans had held on for three quarters. But Madrid never let up. If it's not one player, it's another. They have infinite resources and are an almost perfectly oiled machine. A basket by Weiler-Babb brought the Germans within four points (63-59), but Sergio Rodríguez, Llull and Rudy blew the game open. Between them they scored 12 in a row, only interrupted by a dunk from Poirier off a pass from Rudy, who had earlier cut off two passes. Between the three of them they led a spectacular 14-0 run that thrilled the fans and proved definitive because the leader had built up an 18-point lead with five minutes to go. Seventh home win in the Euroleague (88-73, min.40). A fresh league challenge on Saturday in Santiago against Monbus Obradorio is our next stop (8:45pm CET).

REAL MADRID-BAYERN MÚNICH STATISTICS