Real Madrid starts a new challenge wounded and warned

Real Madrid starts a new challenge wounded and warned

The Madrid team begins its Endesa League 'Playoff' against an offensive BAXI Manresa and who already defeated them at the WiZink two months ago

MADRID, 24 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid will kick off this Wednesday at the WiZink Center (9:00 p.m./

Four days after losing the final of the top continental competition in a close match against the Turkish Anadolu Efes (57-58), Pablo Laso's team will return to their last goal of the season, a league title for which they must be focused from the start. initial jump.

In a crossover to the best of three games, the madridistas, who have the 'field factor' until a theoretical final against Barça, still cannot have their heads in Belgrade, where they experienced the joy of knocking down the great rival and the bitterness of not to be able to win the 'Eleventh', against a BAXI Manresa, a revelation this season and who was one of those who stormed their pavilion.

A little over two months ago, the team coached by Pedro Martínez prevailed at the WiZink Center by 75-86, after a great second half in which they were able to score 52 points and took revenge for the loss at the Nou Congost (87 -92). At that time, Real Madrid was going through its worst moment of the campaign, something that seems to be forgotten due to the performance offered in recent weeks and whose only negative point was the final in Belgrade.

In fact, the defeat against Efes put an end to the good moment of the Madrid team, which had woken up and accumulated ten consecutive victories, showing signs of improvement above all in its offensive basketball, curiously the one that was missed again on Saturday, especially all in the shot of three (6/33).

The defense did work better for Pablo Laso, who hopes that his strength near his rim will help him to disconnect a BAXI Manresa that arrives without pressure and with the desire to return to attack the merengue fief supported by his cheerful offensive game that has led to finish the Regular Phase as the best attack with 88 points per game.

He has also excelled in rebounding, another aspect that his rival also dominates, so he will be key in this first match when it comes to having control of the game. There, a nice battle is expected between the two local 'towers', Walter Tavares and Vincent Poireir, and the visiting Chima Moneke, the second best rebounder of the Manresa team and the third best rated in the Regular Phase.

Laso assured in the preview that he expects his team to "give their best", although he did not hide that "the mental issue is complicated when you lose a European final at the last minute". "For us it is the beginning of a 'Playoffs' and we know that we have to be prepared from the beginning. We have to be very focused from the beginning if we don't want it to happen to us like the game here", he pointed out.

"The break has been long and we have not stopped training. We already beat them in Madrid when they were in a bad moment and I think we will do things well, let's see how far we can go. Now it's time for ambition, effort, mentality and competition at the highest level", warned Pedro Martínez, who is recovering Francisco for this 'Playoff'.

REAL MADRID: Abalde, Causeur, Deck, Yabusele and Tavares -- possible starting quintet--; Randolph, Hanga, Rudy Fernandez, Poirier, Taylor, Llull and Nunez.

BAXI MANRESA: Dani Perez, Thomasson, Vaulet, Moneke and Sima -- possible starting quintet -- Francisco, Steinbergs, Valtonen, Rafa Martinez, Maye, Bako, Badio and Naspler.

--REFEREES: Peruga, Cortés and González.

--PAVILLION: WiZink Center.

--TIME: 21.00/