Real Madrid seeks sentence in Tel Aviv on the fast track
The whites, with the 2-0 in their favor thanks to their most forceful version, want to return to a Final Four three years later
MADRID, 25 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid moves to Israel this Tuesday (8:05 p.m.) to play the third game of the Euroleague playoff series against Maccabi Tel Aviv, a duel in which they arrive 2-0 in favor with their most dominant version at the crucial moment of the season, aware that a victory would certify their presence in the Final Four in Belgrade against a pressured Israeli team and that they are now appealing to the ‘warmth’ of their public and a defensive improvement to have options.
When everything was doubts, Pablo Laso’s men have responded. After stringing together four consecutive defeats in Europe a month ago, leading to the pairing with the Israeli team, the madridistas have surprised with a performance well above expectations, setting aside any concerns. Now, after his two wins over Maccabi, that’s four wins in a row and a better mood.
Thus, the whites will seek the sentence in the cauldron of ‘La Mano de Elías’, where they will seek to maintain and increase the signs of identity that they offered in their first two victories at the WiZink Center by 84-74 and by an overwhelming 94-66.
However, Pablo Laso insisted in the preview that this Tuesday will be a “new match”, with little influence from the 2-0 in favor of the whites, also concerned about reaching the “competitive tension” of the first two duels. “We are going to have to put on a very good game if we want to get one more victory to close the ‘Playoff,'” assured the coach, who has doubts about Gaby Deck, who is already negative for COVID-19.
The Argentine forward could further strengthen a team that managed to recover its former aim from the outside and knew how to counteract the powerful physical game of its rival. In addition to Deck, Laso hopes to have Jeff Taylor ready, a key player to try to disable point guard Scottie Wilbekin, one of the most dangerous weapons.
For its part, Maccabi will have to improve the defensive aspect to keep alive their hopes of forcing the fifth game and dream of the ‘Final Four’. And it is that, after conceding 84 and 95 points in the first two games, Avi Even’s men will have the flag of their wing to come out more plugged in and aggressive, something that they lacked in the first two fights.
After putting up a fight in the first duel, the Maccabean team was dismantled in the second, and they need their best pieces to give their best level. Wilbekin was somewhat alone in the opening game and will have to improve inside with a better level from Jalen Reynolds, Derrick Williams and Ante Zicic.
Maccabi, however, clings to its strength at home and to the momentum of its spirited crowd against whom it has won its last eight games, including the last visit a month ago (75-74) by a Real Madrid team that, instead, he has lost in his last six outings.
DATASHEET.
–TEAMS.
REAL MADRID: Williams-Goss, Abalde, Causeur, Yabusele and Poirier –possible starting five–; Rudy Fernández, Hanga, Randolph, Tavares, Llull, Taylor, Núñez and Deck.
–ÁRBITROS: Javor, Hordov, Nikolic.
–PAVILLION: Menora Mivtachim Arena.