FC Bayern Munich has struggled all season on defense, but the unit shined late against Barcelona
Bayern's defense stepped up when needed late
Article
3 Mins read
FC Bayern Munich’s defense has been questioned all season, but it showed against FC Barcelona that it can perform when it counts as the German champs finished the game in superb fashion for a crucial comeback win.
Bayern held the number one offense in the league to just 2 free throws in the final 3 minutes to reel off a 2-11 close to the game and win 101-102 at Barcelona in a massive road victory in the battle for the playoffs.
“A character win for us,” said Bayern head coach Gordon Herbert. “We had a great last 2 minutes of the game. We got some stops and the guys played tough and we got some big baskets going the other way. Defensively we struggled at times. They are a very good offensive team. But give our guys credit. They fought through stuff and stayed together.”
Game Videos
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Barca's hustle play! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:37
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Nick Weiler-Babb: 'Big-time players make big plays'
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FC Barcelona-FC Bayern Munich | RS Round 31 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
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Harris dunks home Voigtmann’s sweet dish! Motorola Magic Moment,
- 00:16
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Parker’s perfect pass sets up Satoransky slam! Motorola Magic Moment
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The Fantasy Challenge Podcast gang reunites for the double week
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Justin Anderson: 'This team is trending in the right direction'
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FC Barcelona-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 30 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
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Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-FC Bayern Munich | RS Round 30 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
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FC Bayern Munich-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 29 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
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Edwards's acrobatic layup! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
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Metu thunder dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:15
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Punter-Anderson connection! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:23
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Dario Brizuela: 'If you play at Barcelona, you are ready for that pressure'
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Anderson's huge block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:39
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Vladimir Lucic: 'It was an important win tonight'
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Voigtmann dunks with aplomb! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:16
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What a wild three from Napier! Motorola Magic Moment
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Lucic dunks in traffic! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
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Abrines like lightning! Motorola Magic Moment
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Edwards goes coast to coast! Motorola Magic Moment
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Metu’s magic rejection! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:44
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Nick Weiler-Babb: 'In the second half, we came out to play'
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Parker coast to coast! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:11
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Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-FC Barcelona | RS Round 24 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
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Nick Weiler-Babb: 'We created those open shots with our good offense'
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Zalgiris Kaunas-FC Bayern Munich | RS Round 24 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
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Weiler-Babb, Giffey execute inbounds play to perfection! Motorola Magic Moment
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LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-FC Barcelona | RS Round 23 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
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Satoransky’s volleyball pass for Fall’s monster slam! Motorola Magic Moment
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Chimezie Metu: 'It's only up from here for us'
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Parker's chase-down block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:13
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Booker slams off pick and roll! Motorola Magic Moment
Bayern trailed by 11 points 94-83 with just over 5 minutes to play and it was still 99-91 when Herbert’s men stepped up their defense, which came into the game ranked 16th in the league in points allowed.
“We were very resilient in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter when it came down to it. Big-time players make big plays and we just stuck together at the end,” said Nick Weiler-Babb, who collected 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in the win, which improved Bayern’s record to 18-13 and dropped Barcelona to 17-14.
The victory also came after Bayern had suffered a 112-89 loss last week at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.
“A very big one for us. We lost a bad one in Baskonia so we had to bounce back. And this was a good way to do it,” added Weiler-Babb.
“That was a high-level game. With a team like that, there were so many runs and so many momentum changes. I’m just happy to get through this game healthy and be able to win,” said Carsen Edwards, who scored 23 points including a layup to make it 101-100 with 39 seconds to play and setting up Vladimir Lucic’s game-deciding free throws with 17 seconds left.
“A big win for us. We have to keep chipping away and take it one game at a time. But this was a good one for us.”
Also to know that the defense can be there in big games when it matters most.