Bayern Munich-Real Madrid: visitors aiming to start EuroLeague with win

Real Madrid get their 2024/25 EuroLeague campaign underway away from home. The Whites, who have emerged victorious from their last four visits to Munich, take on Bayern at the Sap Garden. The visitors will be aiming to start with a win in a tough first game against the German champions, who have strengthened their squad considerably over the summer.

The Madridistas have a good record on the opening day of the EuroLeague. Of the last seven opening games, they have triumphed in six of them. In 2022 and 2023 they won away to Panathinaikos and Baskonia, respectively. This evening, Madrid will be vying to continue their winning run. Chus Mateo's men visit a Bayern team that they defeated by 21 points (71-92) last year. The record against the Bavarian side favours the Whites with 12 wins in 15 games.

Chus Mateo might have Ibaka back in his squad. The centre had a fantastic season with Bayern in 2023/24, averaging 11.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 14.5 in PIR. Madrid's opponents have maintained their core of players (Obst, Edwards, Lucic, Booker and Brankovic, among others) and have strengthened their squad with experienced and quality players such as Napier, Madar, Da Silva and Voigtmann. Llull will once again be the longest-serving player to have appeared in the EuroLeague for more seasons than any other active player. This season will be his 18th, one behind the record held by Jankunas and Printezis, who have already retired.

Seven EuroLeague games in October
The first month of competition will be extremely intense. Madrid will play seven EuroLeague games and four league fixtures. In Europe, after today's game, they will host Partizan (Thursday 10th), Panathinaikos (Thursday 17th) and Crvena zvezda (Thursday 24th) and we will visit Baskonia (Tuesday 15th), Olympiacos (Tuesday 29th) and Maccabi (Thursday 31st). Today, the Whites will be looking for their first win away from home.