Real Madrid started another EuroLeague campaign with a strong core of players who have been together for many years, coached by Pablo Laso.
Several months later, Real is in the playoffs after fighting more adversities perhaps than ever before. The “Whites” showed their character and will now fight for another Final Four berth.
Real got off to a slow start, losing four of its first five games. Two convincing home victories over Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos capped a five-game winning streak.
Real showed great resilience and kept going, despite injuries and the departure of Facundo Campazzo, who moved to the NBA. The team registered three road victories in December to fuel a six-game winning streak.
Only three Real players – Tavares, Abalde and Usman Garuba – have taken part in all 34 EuroLeague games until now. Real went on to win only one of its next four games, but back-to-back victories against Panathinaikos, 76-66, and ALBA Berlin, 63-72, kept coach Laso’s squad on the right track.
The second half of Real’s regular season has plenty of ups and downs. It lost six games at home, but became more consistent on the road.
An unexpected road loss to end-of-the-table Khimki Moscow Region and back-to-back home defeats to Barcelona and CSKA Moscow put Real in a tough situation.
Real is now set to face Efes in the playoffs without the home-court advantage. Real’s obstacle course continues, as Gabriel Deck is not with the team anymore
Even so, Real has many experienced players who have fought and won together in similar circumstances. Expect Real to be loyal to its history and style; Coach Laso’s men will fight hard to upset Efes and get to the 2021 Final Four.
