Real Madrid-Barça: all eyes on the fourth Clásico of the season
Chus Mateo's boys will be hoping to remain unbeaten against the azulgranas to take another EuroLeague win (8:45 pm CET).
Three Clásicos, three wins - Real Madrid's record against Barça makes pleasant reading this season ahead of the fourth matchup between the teams in tonight's EuroLeague Round 27 clash. Chus Mateo's boys are back in competitive action for the first time since the international break, and they return to the Movistar Arena in the EuroLeague more than a month on from their win over Baskonia. The aim is to come out on top in another Clásico and continue picking up wins into the closing stages of a very tight Regular Season.
With 8 games left to play, Real Madrid sit in eleventh place (13-13), one win from eighth and just three behind third. It's still all to play for, but every victory counts for even more right now. Barcelona are currently in ninth (14-12) and both teams will be desperate for a win today as they look to climb the table. Success for the madridistas, as well as putting them level with the blaugranas, would see them win a head-to-head in the event of a tie, after Madrid came away from the Palau with a win (90-97).
It was an impressive display from Chus Mateo's outfit in that clash, coming past their big rivals following two overtime periods thanks to some wonderful performances by the trio of Campazzo (32 PIR), Hezonja (23) and Tavares (39). The three of them have been crucial in the 100% record against Barcelona this campaign, with the point guard averaging 28.6 PIR, the center at 25.3 and the forward at 17.3. The other two victories came in the Super Cup semis, 89-83 and in the league at the Movistar Arena (73-71).
Defense and rebound to be key
Barcelona are always a tough proposition. Despite injuries to Punter and Vesely, they boast a deep squad full of top-level players including Metu, Parker, Satoransky and Abrines. Madrid will have to be strong in defense, especially given the azulgranas have the second best offense in the competition (87.1 points and a 38.5% success rate from three), and capitalize on their superiority in the paint and on the rebound. Tonight marks the 38th Clásico in the EuroLeague, and the madridistas edge the head-to-head 19-18.