Real Madrid Suffers Fourth Euroleague Loss On Home Floor Against Milan
Real Madrid endured its fourth Euroleague defeat of the season, all at home, unable to rebound from a difficult start. Milan triumphed 81-76 after opening a 21 point lead early, leaving Madrid with a tough path as the season progresses toward the playoff race.
The Spaniards entered the night with momentum, aiming to secure a playoff spot with eight rounds still on the schedule. Walter Tavares and Sergio Llull were kept in reserve at times due to injuries, a setback the team hoped to minimize in a key home matchup against a strong Milan side.
The opening minutes suggested an evening of offensive fluency for Chus Mateo’s squad as they found rhythm and attacked with purpose. A 5-12 run forced Ettore Messina to call a timeout early. The visitors steadied and pushed the margin to 15-19 after Dzanan Musa converted two free throws. What followed was a dramatic swing that shifted the game in a flash, turning a promising first half into a challenging stretch for Madrid.
Shavon Shields had already warned that he would attack, and he did so with five straight points to begin a decisive stretch. Nikola Mirotic, now a frequent opponent for Real Madrid, joined the onslaught. The Montenegrin guard delivered a burst of scoring that carried Milan, tallying 11 consecutive points spanning the end of the first quarter into the start of the second. Together Shields and Mirotic accounted for 22 of Milan’s 26 points during that stretch.
Madrid remained stuck at 19 for long stretches as the Milan defense limited the time and space for the home team. Even with a late surge from the Madrid bench, the team managed only three points before halftime. A crucial sequence saw Walter Tavares convert a free throw to end a 21-0 Milan run, but it arrived too late in the half as Milan led 36-20 at the 25th minute.
With Milan carrying a 16 point advantage, Madrid faced a stern test. The Italian side showed no signs of relenting, maintaining outside shooting touch and strong interior defense. In the first half, Milan dominated the boards 26-13 and restricted Madrid to just four two-point baskets, three of them coming early in the game and another just before the break. The score read 48-29 at the 20-minute mark, a heavy handicap for Real Madrid.
Madrid’s response was steady rather than explosive. A triple from Gabriel Deck midway through the third period sparked a modest push, and a five-point flurry from Rodney McGruder briefly trimmed the deficit after the locker room intermission. Still, Milan stretched its lead, carrying a healthy cushion into the final period.
As the fourth quarter began, Madrid showed signs of life. The visitors had moments when the game looked within reach, though both teams endured stretches without producing a scoring run. Then Mirotic nailed a timely three-pointer to keep Milan ahead, a moment that reinvigorated the Italian defense and offense alike.
The Real Madrid comeback would hinge on leadership from Sergio Rodríguez, who directed the offense with poise. He connected on a couple of timely three-pointers and delivered a measured assist to Vincent Poirier. Guerschon Yabusele joined the surge with contributions, and Llull added to the momentum as Real Madrid launched a 2-15 stretch that briefly put the game back in reach. The crowd was treated to a convincing rally, but the clock betrayed the comeback as Milan answered with measured precision.
In the decisive moments, Mirotic refused to yield. His pride and skill kept Milan ahead, reminding Madrid why the forward has long been considered among Europe’s elite players. The late stage of the game saw Milan hold on as Shields disrupted Madrid with a steal and a late drive for two free throws, sealing the outcome for the visitors.
Balkan’s late leadership helped Milan stay in front during the stretch that followed. Real Madrid had a chance to draw level with a crucial three-pointer but could not convert. Thegame’s closing moments featured a critical turnover by Shields that set up Milan for the closing exchanges, cementing the final scoreline at 81-76.
Data sheet:
81 – Milan (23+25+18+15): Napier 8, Melli 2, Shields 27, Ricci 0, Voigtmann 0, Lo 8, McGruder 7, Hall 4, Mirotic 23, Hines 2.
76 – Real Madrid (19+10+25+22): Campazzo 8, Deck 10, Hezonja 11, Musa 12, Tavares 8, Fernandez 3, Rodríguez 9, Poirier 6, Llull 4, Yabusele 5.
Referees: Boltauzer, Trawicki and Difallah.
Events: Matchday 26 of the Euroleague was played at the Forum in Milan.