Real Madrid seeks to continue on the wave against another direct rival
MADRID, 7 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid will receive this Thursday (9:00 p.m.) at the WiZink Center another direct rival in the Regular Phase of the Euroleague 2022-2023 such as AS Monaco, against whom they will try to extend their great moment of play and results to continue among the first four of the classification.
The Madrid team is at its best moment of the campaign and is receiving its reward in the form of results and happiness, especially in the highest continental competition where, after storming the field of leader Fenerbahce with great authority, they extended their winning streak to six followed.
In this way, the team coached by Chus Mateo is the fittest in a Euroleague where, despite its hesitant start, it is already installed in the prized area of the first four, a privilege that its next rival can also boast of. , an AS Monaco that is transferring to this season the good feelings that it already left in the previous one.
The two teams are tied with a balance of 8-3, the same record as Barça, and one victory away from Fenerbahce, the dominator of this first stretch of the campaign. Real Madrid has won eight consecutive victories between Europe and the Endesa League, and has won ten of their last eleven clashes, an improvement that Valencia Basket (79-62) could not stop last weekend either and that the dangerous visitor will examine which continues to be led by Mike James.
And all this despite suffering vicissitudes with injuries, well compensated by the trio made up of Dzanan Musa, Gaby Deck and Walter Tavares, especially the Bosnian forward, who seems to be finding his rhythm and being a powerful offensive weapon, while it seems that the recovery and return of Nigel Williams-Goss has helped in the initial doubts in the direction.
In addition, Mateo could count on Guerschon Yabusele again, although in return he acknowledged that he has the Argentine and the Cape Verdean very loaded. Still without Adam Hanga and Rudy Fernández, the ten-time European champion will also have to show that he has improved defensively, mainly because he will face another of the best offensive teams and that last year, despite losing both games of the Regular Phase, created many problems for him.
AS Monaco was the revelation last season and even came close to being in the ‘Final Four’ despite making their debut in the top continental competition. This year, for the moment, he maintains those good feelings, supported by his attack, with more than 83 points per game, and which only Maccabi has been able to really stop, which reduced him to 70.
Like last year, point guard Mike James is his great weapon in attack (17.6 points), although he is accompanied by two other dangerous outsiders like Jordan Loyd and Elie Okubo, new additions, while in defense he could notice the absence John Brown, another of his signings for this season and who is a serious doubt due to a strong blow to the ribs that has already caused him to be absent in the last two league games these days.
DATASHEET.
–EQUIPMENT.
REAL MADRID: Williams-Goss, Causeur, Musa, Cornelie and Tavares — possible starting quintet — Sergio Rodriguez, Llull, Yabusele, Deck, Abalde, Hezonja, Poirier and Ndiaye.
AS MONACO: James, Loyd, Blossomgame, Hall and Motiejunas –possible starting five– Diallo, Moerman, Makundo, Ouattara, Strazel, Okobo, Couture and Brown.
–REFEREES: Javor, Hordov and Cici.
–PAVILION: WiZink Center.
–TIME: 21.00/DAZN.