Pablo Laso will look to boost Bayern's (8-11) playoff hopes by masterminding a victory against former club and league leader Real (17-2).
Chus Mateo, Real Madrid: 'They will give it all they got'
Seasons
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 20 of 34
Regular Season
FC Bayern MunichBAY
7192
Real MadridRMB
Overview
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Real enjoyed a comfortable win, 88-73, when the teams met in Madrid last month as Sergio Llull rolled back the years with 16 points. Bayern will have to find defensive solutions against Dzanan Musa after his 40 points in last week's historic showdown with Efes, and the German team will also hope that veteran leader Vladimir Lucic can start to find top form after working his way back from a long-term injury in the last five games.
Pablo Laso, Bayern head coach
"We're talking about Real, a team that has been rolling since the beginning of the season. They have been playing incredibly well despite waiting for injured players. Campazzo sets the rhythm for them, and with leaders like Chacho (Rodriguez) and Llull, the team is guided well. They have many scorers from the outside, such as Hezonja, Deck (who is still missing), Causeur, Rudy, or Abalde. They are a complete team, not to mention their inside game with Tavares and Poirier. Additionally, Yabusele is back, so this is a fantastic team playing at a high level, arguably the best team in Europe. It would be very strange to see them lose. But, of course, we want to win the game. To have a chance, we need to play a very good game and hope that they are not at their best level for once. We have a home game, and I expect another great atmosphere. It will probably be a different game than a month ago in Madrid; both sides have players returning, like Lucic for us. We did a lot of things right there, but still lost by more than ten points. We were very good; we just missed some shots. I think we need to focus primarily on defense."
Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach
"We play in a court in which fans push a lot and you can feel how close the crowd is. They have got some players back from injury compared to our last meeting, a game in which they made things hard for us. We will try to play a good game to get a new win in a difficult court. Bayern is looking for a spot in the play-in and they will give it all they got."
Guerschon Yabusele, Real Madrid player
"A tough game awaits us against a team, Bayern, coached by Pablo Laso, who will want to make it extra hard for us in Munich. We will have to be focused from the get-go, play together, help each other and fight until the end. I think it will be a good basketball game. I am happy because I am back with the group, my teammates made it as easy as possible for me."