FC Bayern Munich showcased their dominance on the court with a decisive 97-82 victory over Zalgiris Kaunas, solidifying their position as contenders for the postseason. The match, held at Zalgirio Arena on January 30, 2025, saw Bayern's Andreas Obst leading the charge with impressive three-point shooting.
Obst, known for his sharpshooting abilities, was nothing short of spectacular, finishing the game with 26 points, including several key three-pointers during the fourth quarter. This contribution was pivotal as Bayern Munich managed to maintain their advantage against Zalgiris, who battled through this matchup after suffering two road losses against Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos.
Nick Weiler-Babb also made waves for Bayern with his all-around performance, contributing 14 points, 7 rebounds, and setting a career-high of 13 assists. "We just took the punches they threw at us, but we stuck together as a team. I felt good; it’s always good when guys like Carsen and Andi are making open shots. I’m happy to distribute and contribute to my team," Weiler-Babb remarked after the game.
Zalgiris, struggling with their form, appeared to show signs of resilience, especially when Laurynas Birutis pulled off a stunning 2+1 play following a powerful dunk, which momentarily narrowed the gap to 10 points. Despite moments of promise like these, they failed to keep the momentum and were repeatedly thwarted by Obst’s exceptional shooting.
Following the game, Zalgiris’ head coach Andrea Trinchieri expressed the psychological toll of the recent losses, stating, "We are in a very tough moment, everything looks difficult. We’re under great stress. I believe we were good in the third, but then we made a couple of mistakes and they made three big threes in a row. That killed us emotionally." His frustration was palpable as his team faltered under pressure, particularly when faced with Bayern’s consistent scoring.
Trinchieri’s comments highlighted the emotional strain the team is experiencing, exacerbated by dwindling performance as they succumbed to their third straight defeat. "Having this unconditional support from all the fans, the Zalgiris fans, on a night when you don’t deserve this – because we don’t deserve this kind of treatment – makes my brain open like a drawer," he added, reflecting on the relationship between team performance and fan engagement.
Moving forward, Zalgiris, now with an 11-13 record, must quickly regroup as they prepare to host ALBA Berlin and Milan next week. With the pressure mounting and the support of their fans wavering, Trinchieri suggested changes might be necessary, hinting, "The situation is bad and frustrating. Only the ones who deserve this kind of unconditional support will wear the green jersey. Right now, I can’t do differently." This statement shows the accountability he feels to both players and fans.
For Bayern, the victory improved their standing to 14-10. They remain on course for the postseason, buoyed by the recent strong performances, including their previous win against their German rivals, ALBA Berlin. The upcoming matches against Milan and ASVEL will serve as important tests of their capabilities and resilience.
Overall, this EuroLeague clash between Zalgiris and Bayern illustrated the contrasting trajectories of the two teams this season. With Bayern demonstrating what can be achieved through teamwork and consistency, Zalgiris find themselves searching for answers amid mounting frustrations. The road to recovery could be tough, but both coaches understand how pivotal their next games are.