Real Madrid extended its impressive season start with a ninth consecutive victory across all official matches, a stretch that highlights their consistent form this campaign. The latest triumph over Monaco, at the WiZink Center, finished 91-73 and showcased a balanced offensive plan led by Dzanan Musa, who poured in 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, supported by a steady display across the roster. The win came despite a difficult week that included a sequence of four demanding games, with Monaco briefly climbing the standings after wins against Bilbao Basket in the Endesa League and Valencia Basket in the league EuroCup. Monaco had been among Europe’s elite last season, and their visit to Madrid had previously yielded only one victory in six encounters, underscoring the challenge Madrid faced in asserting control on their home floor. Yet Madrid approached the game with authority, recognizing the magnitude of what lay ahead and embracing a high level of confidence from the opening tip. They adjusted quickly to counter Monaco’s outside shooting, setting the tone early in the contest and dampening the visitors’ rhythm with disciplined defense and efficient ball movement.
Although Musa began the game modestly with a single three-pointer in the opening minutes, Real Madrid found other ways to establish momentum, eventually loading up on points as the first quarter progressed. An 11-2 run signaled Madrid’s intent, creating a nine-point cushion as Walter Tavares joined Musa in powering the team through the initial stretch. Tavares contributed a strong performance, finishing with 22 of Madrid’s 30 points in the half while shooting an impressive 7-for-8 on two-point attempts, a testament to the big man’s effectiveness in the paint. The pair’s influence set the tone, pushing Madrid to a lead that would underpin their approach throughout the night.
As the first half continued, Sergio Llull stepped up from the perimeter, stringing together back-to-back three-pointers that widened the distance and drew a reaction from Monaco’s bench. Coach Sasa Obradovic voiced his concerns during the break, his expression as heated as the discussion on the sideline suggested. Madrid’s offense did not rely solely on Musa and Tavares; Llull’s timely scoring provided the spark, and the team as a whole demonstrated composure under pressure, maintaining a comfortable advantage heading into the locker room.
Madrid’s lead swelled to twenty early in the second half after a well-executed sequence that showcased the team’s depth and ball movement. Monaco’s resilience kept them within striking distance at times, but Madrid never allowed the game to drift out of reach. The defense remained disciplined, limiting open looks and forcing hurried decisions, which translated into a steady stream of transition opportunities and efficient finishes near the rim.
In the late stages, Madrid controlled the tempo and applied pressure on both ends. The defense locked in, and the offense found gaps in Monaco’s coverage, signaling a clear sense that the job was nearly done. By the end of the third quarter the scoreboard reflected a dominant performance: Madrid had accumulated 80 points, while finishing with a robust 28 defensive rebounds and 23 assists, a stat line that spoke to a collective effort rather than a single standout performance. The fourth quarter continued in the same vein, with Madrid effectively sealing the win and avoiding any unnecessary risks as they prepared for the next challenge ahead, a league visit to Unicaja de Málaga in the schedule ahead.
– Data sheet: 91 – Real Madrid (30+23+27+11): Causeur (7), Campazzo (12), Deck (7), Tavares (12), Musa (21) – first five -, Hezonja (-), Llull (14), Sergio Rodríguez (-), Poirier (12), Yabusele (3) and Rudy Fernández (3). 73 – AS Monaco (20+19+11+23): James (13), Loyd (2), Brown (9), Diallo (4), Motiejunas (14) – top five -, Okobo (6), Blossomgame (4), Cornelie (8), Walker (2), Tarpey (3) and Hall (8). Referees: Damir Javor (Slovenia), Sergio Silva (Portugal) and Vasiliki Tsaroucha (Greece). Events: The ninth round match of the Euroleague was played at WiZink Center. (Source: Euroleague game report)