Madrid added a more important victory against Virtus than it seems at this point in the season. It is the fourth victory in the Euroleague, all four at home, and against a rival with a lot of talent, but with very little interest in defense. When Madrid pushed back in the third quarter, the Italians’ resistance ended. And those in charge of taking a step forward were once again “Facu” Campazzo (14 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists in 23:56) and Tavares (14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks), who found a supportive response in the whole block.
Llull’s 1,100th game with Madrid came in the Euroleague. Having overcome the physical discomfort after the defeat in Milan, he appeared with four tenths left in the first quarter. “Tangerine” threatened, although there was none. His role in today’s Madrid goes further. He is forced to play with an “auctoritas” like the one he showed in the second quarter. He served as captain on every square inch of the court. In front was the Virtus. The Italians have talent to give away and after a happy first quarter they came out in the second with a partial 0-9. The disadvantage (28-34) and an error by Rathan-Mayes, a player as capable of making baskets as he is of making big mistakes, caused the “run-run” in the WiZink. The captain was in charge of silencing him. It wasn’t with one of those captivating streaks that he had not so long ago. He commanded on both sides of the court. He scored a couple of triples, but above all he had an ascendancy in the team that made his teammates calm down.
The nerves disappeared even though Cordinier, Clyburn and Shengelia took advantage of an undemanding defense. Ibaka’s contribution from the bench was the best support the captain found for Madrid to overcome its shortcomings at the back. The hole in the offensive rebound was not like other nights and in attack Chus Mateo’s team responded fluidly to the success of the Italians. Without Campazzo, with Llull, the team worked with discretion and that is why midway through the game they were over fifty points (53), had a notable percentage of three (8/18) and had shared the ball with discretion (15) . The defense needed to put those in the capital of Emilia-Romagna in difficulties.
And that’s what the team insisted on despite Shengelia’s initial success. The Georgian power forward continued adding, but he was left alone. The opposite of what happened in Madrid’s attacks where the distribution of responsibilities made the team grow. Campazzo fed everyone, Abalde stood out with 8 points and the team flew (73-60). “Facu” had those minutes in which everything that moves on the field does so at will. And Virtus, in addition to staying below 20 points in this period, lacked an antidote for the Argentine. The next challenge for Madrid will be on Thursday, again at the WiZink, the Anadolu Efes. The Turks won a tight match against Baskonia in Vitoria.
98. Real Madrid (28+25+27+18): Campazzo (14), Abalde (8), Hezonja (20), Ndiaye (2) y Tavares (14) -quinteto titular- Rathan-Mayes (17), Deck (6), Ibaka (11), Llull (6), González (0) y Duru (0).
86. Bologna power (25+24+18+19): Pajola (0), Cordinier (18), Clyburn (15), Shengelia (20) and Zizic (8) – starting quintet – Tucker (2), Hackett (0), Diouf (8), Morgan (3), Belinelli ( 9) and Polonara (0).
Referees: Pastusiak (Pol), and Kardum (Cro) and Majkic (Esl). No eliminated. Technique to Bianchi.
Incidences: 7,549 spectators at the WiZink Center. Match corresponding to the ninth day of the Euroleague.
Ninth day: Fenerbahçe, 87-Bayern Munich, 76; Monaco, 90-Red Star, 98; Olympiacos, 94-ASVEL Villeurbanne, 92; ALBA Berlin, 105-Armani Milan, 101; Panathinaikos, 93-Maccabi Tel Aviv, 87; Baskonia, 84-Anadolu Efes, 89; Real Madrid, 98-Virtus Bologna, 86; Partizan-Barcelona (18:00) and Paris-Zalgiris Kaunas (20:30). (All in Movistar +).
Classification (wins/losses): 1. Fenerbahce (7/2); 2. Barcelona (6/2); 3. Zalgiris Kaunas (6/2); 4. Panathinaikos (6/3); 5. Olympiacos (6/3); 6. Bayern Munich (6/3); 7. Paris (5/3); 8. Red Star (5/4); 9. Monaco (5/4); 10. Anadolu Efes (5/4); 11. Real Madrid (4/5); 12. Baskonia (4/5); 13. Armani Milan (3/6); 14. Maccabi Tel Aviv (3/6); 15. Partizan (2/6); 16. Virtus Bologna (2/7); 17. ASVEL Villeurbanne (2/7); 18. ALBA Berlin (2/7).
