Bayern snapped a nine-game losing streak with a commanding home victory over Maccabi
David McCormack dominates as the Pesic era gets underway in Munich
Game Report
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 19 of 38
Regular Season
FC Bayern MunichBAY
9571
Maccabi Rapyd Tel AvivMTA
Overview
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The Svetislav Pesic effect at FC Bayern Munich has officially tipped off, with the German team ending a nine-game losing run by blasting Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, 95-71, on Friday night.
And although the efficient offensive performance will have delighted Bayern fans, as far as new coach Pesic is concerned it’s clear that the blueprint for further future success has been laid down: defense, defense and more defense.
Maccabi headed into the game as the third-highest scoring team in the EuroLeague, averaging 90.3 points per game, also ranked as the third-best ball circulators (20.2 assists per game), third-best offensive rebounding unit (12.7 per night), and one of the least turnover-prone (11.5 per game).
But the Israeli team could not even approach its usual numbers on this occasion, restricted by Bayern’s intense defense to just 71 points while dishing only 15 assists, claiming just 8 offensive boards and committing 17 turnovers.
Those numbers are enough to explain how Bayern took control, especially during the second and third quarters when Maccabi was held to just 31 points, and Pesic – who was taking charge of just his second game – left no margin for doubt about what he will demand from his players in the weeks ahead.
“It was a very important game for us, an important win,” the veteran coach told EuroLeague TV.
“For everybody – the fans, the players, the club – it’s always important to win. But for me it’s [more important] how we win. And tonight everything we tried on defense to stop transition points from one of the best teams in the EuroLeague we played excellent.
“Excellence defense on the ball, excellent rotation, sometimes switching defense, boxing out, rebounds…a complete game. Now it’s important to repeat this game.”
On an individual level, it looks like the biggest beneficiary of the recent coaching change will be center David McCormack.
The former ALBA Berlin player was a peripheral presence under previous coach Gordie Herbert, sometimes omitted entirely from the 12-man roster, but he is enjoying a fresh lease of life under Pesic.
After scoring a season-high 12 points in the new coach’s debut against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv last week, McCormack followed up with an action-packed display to spearhead the victory over Maccabi, delivering 18 points on 7-of-9 two-point shooting, 7 rebounds and 3 assists for a personal-best PIR of 27.
Clearly excited both by the victory and his enhanced role, McCormack enthused: “It was a fun game, honestly. My confidence has definitely grown, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates – great chemistry on the floor.
“It was a major win for us, to change the momentum and change our mindset. It was the perfect start to 2026 and I’m hoping to keep it that way.”
The intensity of Bayern’s defensive performance left visiting coach Oded Kattash with no complaints about the outcome, as he acknowledged: “The better team won. They were more aggressive than us. We lost our spark offensively, but it’s a good lesson for the future.”
Following this big win, Bayern has every reason to feel optimistic as it prepares for a run of four home games out of the next five – starting with Wednesday’s visit of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.
After suffering a seven-game losing stretch on the road in November and December, an extended period of home comfort will be even more welcome for the German team. And if those nights result in more performances like Friday’s, perhaps Bayern’s chances of pushing towards the playoffs might still be alive.
