On February 2, 2025, FC Bayern Basketball will clash with ALBA Berlin at the SAP Garden at 16:30, marking their latest rivalry encounter within the easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga. Both teams recently celebrated significant victories, with Bayern showcasing its form by dominating Zalgiris Kaunas 97:82, and ALBA edging past Maccabi Tel Aviv with a 93:87 win, according to BILD.
This matchup is particularly important for ALBA Berlin, which currently sits precariously at 14th place, needing to climb the ranks to secure a playoff spot. Captain Martin Hermannsson expressed the severity of their situation, stating, "Every game for us is already like a do-or-die match. If we don't start racking up wins, summer holidays might arrive earlier than expected, and we don't want to see it.”
Hermannsson's sentiments speak to the pressure ALBA faces, especially coming off their recent disappointing loss to Oldenburg. Co-captain Jonas Mattisseck admitted, "We are knocked down this season," reflecting the struggles of the team, which is still reeling from missing key players due to injuries.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, enters the game riding high, sitting atop the table with 11 wins out of 15 games. With the confidence of past EuroLeague victories, the team aims to maintain its lead and continue the momentum. The previous matchups this year saw ALBA pulling off the unexpected by defeating Bayern 88:81 on January 1, but Bayern reclaimed glory shortly after, triumphing 99:84 during their EuroLeague face-off.
This time, Bayern hopes to extend its winning streak against ALBA. Their recent success can be attributed to effective strategies and talent on and off the court, including performances from standout players like Carsen Edwards and Johannes Voigtmann.
Expectations for the game are high, with fans eager to pack the SAP Garden and witness the tension between these competitors live. Those unable to attend can look forward to watching the game on WELT, which will broadcast the match live.
A highly competitive first half unfolded, with ALBA taking the floor with intensity. Will McDowell-White, stepping up for the absent shooter Matt Thomas, hit three consecutive three-pointers, igniting the crowd and pushing ALBA to an early lead. Despite fielding the talented Australian, ALBA struggled against Bayern’s stout defense, which began to crack open their offense as the quarter progressed.
Meanwhile, Bayern found its stride with calculated adjustments and heightening their energy levels on defense, allowing them to score easy transition points led by Edwards. Increasingly, Bayern asserted itself and began capitalizing on ALBA's mistakes, thanks to their aggressive approach and effective gameplay.
After halftime, Bayern rattled off 17 unanswered points, flipping the game on its head and taking control, propelled by their fans' energy. This scoring run highlighted the contrasting fortunes of both teams. ALBA’s inability to handle the mounting pressure reflected their struggles throughout the season, often characterized by inconsistencies and lapses shortly after establishing leads.
Despite being caught off guard during stretches of the match, ALBA proved resilient and fought back to tie the game. McDowell-White’s commendable performance, scoring key three-pointers, meant ALBA maintained hope as the crowd roared with anticipation. With the clock winding down, ALBA managed to catch Bayern off-guard and force overtime through clutch plays, including McDowell-White’s buzzer beater.
Alas, the overtime period saw Bayern emerge dominant once again. Bayern's ability to compose themselves after faltering moments stood as the decisive factor. The final score was 99-86, leaving ALBA with another bitter defeat to swallow and raising questions about their potential to fight for playoffs this season 2024-25.
Coach Izrael González will likely need to reassess strategies as ALBA continues its push facing uphill battles against the league’s top teams. The mounting pressure leaves them at risk of starting their break earlier than anticipated if performance does not improve. Will they find the resilience to adapt and turn around their season? Time will tell as the BBL season progresses and more high-stakes matches loom on the horizon.