Chus Mateo's squad got back on track in Round 29
Ruthless Real Madrid back in business
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 29 of 34
Group Regular Season
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Confronted by a three-game losing streak and a trip to face a hungry opponent which had only lost twice at home all season, Real Madrid got back to its best by leaning on the quality that has delivered so much success in the last couple of years: teamwork.
The reigning champ’s 74-89 victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna on Friday night was not achieved through sparkling individual performances or a flamboyant exhibition of offensive basketball, but through a serious, professional and ultimately ruthless team display which mixed strong collective defense with a well-balanced attack.
At one end of the floor, Virtus was restricted to 28-of-48 two-point attempts and just 4-of-19 from beyond the arc. At the other, Real made a so-solid 21-of-33 twos and 11-of-30 for three, plus a perfect 14-of-14 from the foul line to underline the team’s all-round focus.
The Spanish team also won the rebounding battle 39-28 and had 19 assists with just 9 turnovers, with all 10 players who stepped on the court scoring and rebounding, and nine of them dishing at least one assist.
A business-like display by Real Madrid
Delighted coach Chus Mateo was extremely happy with his team’s committed and focused performance, which was enough to secure a top-six finish. “The EuroLeague is a very tough competition, and we have to be ready to play against the best teams in Europe," he said.
“Virtus is trying to go to the playoffs, they are fighting, and it was not an easy game but we confronted the game with a very good mentality. Taking care of the ball, no turnovers, rebounding very good, and our offense was very good – we took the shots we had to take.
“The team is the most important thing, not individual success. We need to stay together as a team.”
Reading from the same script, playmaker Facundo Campazzo repeated his coach’s mantra as he added: “We can lose games or win games, but effort, hustle, team mentality is the first thing for this team. We are a very dangerous team when we pass the ball and have a generous game.”
Real’s top scorer was Guerschon Yabusele, who reflected his team’s efficiency as he made 6 of his 7 field goal attempts to finish with 15 points alongside 7 rebounds.
And although the French forward was happy enough with the victory, he illustrated the runaway league leader's no-nonsense approach by keeping his feet on the ground as he said: “It was a good day for us today.
“I think it was a really important game for us to come back after those losses. Bologna is a tough team so for sure to get the win here was not easy, but we got the job done. We’ve gotta go home and finish the job.”
Los Blancos are back... and they mean business.