After securing Euroleague success, Real Madrid opened the season with an impressive 11 wins in 11 official matches. The latest showcase saw a 88-71 victory over Milan, where Sergio Llull stepped in during the crunch moments, scoring 19 points to seal the win.
In the pregame briefing, Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo stressed the importance of controlling the pace. The usual fluid style the team favors was disrupted early by turnovers against a disciplined Italian opponent that executed well on offense and remained solid on defense.
Early foul trouble also hurt Real Madrid. Walter Tavares picked up two personals in under four minutes, and his replacement, Vincent Poirier, picked up a quick third foul on a tangled sequence that briefly forced the coach to stand as referee while protests were heard.
In the debate of who carried the load, Mario Hezonja played multiple roles, while Shavon Shields and former Madrid man Nikola Mirotic caused some damage. Yet Real Madrid, never short of effort or individual brilliance, found resilience through collective work and selflessness.
As the second quarter unfolded, Llull delivered again, scoring 11 points after a triple tied the game at 42-42 late in the period. The Balearic guard showed steady resolve as Real Madrid trailed by six at the break, with Llull contributing crucial points in the final seconds of the quarter.
The hosts regrouped after halftime. Tavares spearheaded the comeback, tallying six of the team’s first 11 points in the third quarter. His momentum was briefly interrupted by two more fouls, after which Poirier reentered with composure and delivered the reliable form he began the season with.
Real Madrid maintained the initiative into the final period, advancing with a disciplined game and continuing to push the tempo as needed. The defense tightened, while the offense exploited opportunities created by a steady ball movement and timely counters. The squad’s cohesion was evident as the run-creating efforts around Campazzo, Sergio Rodríguez, and Llull helped sustain momentum through the late stages of the game.
The visitors attempted a late surge, but Real Madrid withstood the pressure. A 12-2 burst, sparked by smart distribution and strong rebounding, helped seal the outcome and reaffirm the team’s status as a top contender in the Euroleague this season. Milan’s challenge was met with a response that highlighted Real Madrid’s depth and tactical balance.
From the beginning of the contest to its final minutes, Real Madrid demonstrated a clear willingness to share responsibilities. The victory kept their unbeaten run intact and reinforced the belief that the team can sustain a high level of performance across games and moments, even amid tough schedules.
Data sheet:
88 – Real Madrid (19+23+25+21): Campazzo (12), Deck (8), Musa (6), Yabusele (3), Tavares (8) -in the top five-, Hezonja (13), Sergio Rodríguez (5), Poirier (9), Llull (19) , Rudy Fernández (3), Ndiaye (2).
71- Milan (25+17+19+10): Pangos (9), Melli (-), Mirotic (13), Shields (16), Voigtmann (9) -starting five- Poythress (4), Tonut (2), Ricci (-), Flaccadori (5), Hall (9), Kamagate (2) and Hines (2).
Referees: Sreten Radovic (CRO), Gytis Vilius (LIT) and Saso Petek (MEB). No no.
Events: The match of the fourth day of Euroleague basketball matches was played at WiZink Center.