Real Madrid examine their momentum against Panathinaikos
MADRID, 31 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid hosts Panathinaikos this Wednesday (8:45 p.m.) on matchday 22 of the 2022-2023 Euroleague Regular Phase, a duel in which they will seek to continue their momentum with the prestigious victory in extra time against Barça to continue at the top, while his rival, low on the table and with little success in his visits to the capital, will arrive with several injuries, although with one last offensive extravagance as a guarantee.
Chus Mateo’s men reacted on time in the fourth Clásico in four months, their last European match, with Sergio Llull taking center stage in the last quarter of a game that was decided in extra time (91-86). This suffered triumph allowed the madridistas to stay at the top of the maximum continental competition together with Olympiacos (14-7).
That momentum boosted by the victory in the Clásico was reinforced in the domestic competition this weekend, beating BAXI Manresa (69-94) at home on matchday 18 of the Endesa League. It was the third victory in a week for Real Madrid, which is already looking to a February with five games in 12 days, before fighting for the Copa del Rey in Badalona, the first major title of the course.
However, the calendar is not an excuse for Mateo. “We train less than we would like due to travel, but we try not to complain. We want to be strong and face whatever comes. We have to be prepared both physically and mentally,” he commented on the fifth double day of the Euroleague.
Against the ‘PAO’, Real Madrid will have to monitor their own concentration and neutralize any hint of relaxation against a team that has just offered an offensive display in the second half to sweep Zalgiris (89-65) in their last European match.
Mateo, who in the previous one insisted on looking for an optimal defensive version of the team and not wasting an opportunity to win at home to continue as favorites in the competition, will only have Alberto Abalde out, so he will have to make discards again before to face a Greek team that has lost in their last 11 visits to Madrid, where they have not won since March 2013. In addition, the Athenian team loses a lot at home and this year they have already accumulated eight defeats away from OAKA.
However, Panathinaikos relies on the offensive talent of Dwayne Bacon, who was not present in the tight duel in the first round with a Real Madrid victory (68-71) and who averages almost 20 points per game, and Derrick Williams. Nate Wolters will also be present, also absent in the first round match, while Mateusz Ponitka, Eleftherios Mantzoukas and Lefteris Bochoridis will be out. Panathinaikos have moved in the last few hours and have signed shooter Matt Thomas and Dimitrios Agravanis.
The ‘PAO’ coach, Dejan Radonjic, expects a “very tough” duel and appealed to a “great defense” to enhance his attacking skills. “Real Madrid is one of the best teams in the Euroleague, with many good players in good shape. We have to play with the same energy as in the second half against Zalgiris, focused and ready to fight for 40 minutes,” he said.
DATASHEET.
–TEAMS.
REAL MADRID: Williams-Goss, Deck, Musa, Yabusele and Tavares –possible starting five– Hanga, Causeur, Llull, Poirier, Hezonja, Rudy Fernández, Sergio Rodríguez and Cornelie.
PANATHINAIKOS: Lee, Grigonis, G. Kalaitzakis, Williams y Papagiannis –quintet initial–, Avdalas, Gudaitis, Andrews, Chougkaz, Samontourov, Bacon, Wolters, P. Kalaitzakis, Thomas y Agravanis.
–REFEREES: Jovcic, Patusiak and Radojkovic.
–PAVILION: WiZink Center.