Real Madrid secured an impressive victory over AS Monaco with a score of 94-72 during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's 17th round held Thursday at the WiZink Center. This marked the Spanish team's eighth win of the season, demonstrating their potential to climb the league standings after struggling earlier this season.
The standout player for Real Madrid was Džanan Musa, who scored 22 points alongside contributing five rebounds and five assists. Mario Hezonja and Facundo Campazzo added 13 and 12 points, respectively, helping to solidify the squad's offensive strength. Gabriel Deck also played well, contributing 12 points to the team's total.
For AS Monaco, Mike James led the way with 19 points and eight assists, followed closely by Jordan Lloyd with 13 points. Despite their individual efforts, the team could not keep pace with the aggressive play from the Madrid squad, showcasing discrepancies on both offense and defense.
The game witnessed Real Madrid taking control early on, leading 29-22 at the end of the first quarter. A significant push by the team saw them extend their lead to as much as 30 points during the matchup, effectively securing their triumph.
Musa highlighted his confidence post-game, stating, "Even if the standings don’t say so, I think we are still one of the top three teams in the league. We got to keep working. It’s not easy, but I still think we can reach the Final Four". This statement resonates with the collective ambition within the squad to reaffirm their status among Europe’s elite teams.
The win was particularly encouraging for Real Madrid, who had faced challenges earlier this season with their record standing at 8-9 prior to the match. Following this win, the club now prepares for their next contests, including upcoming clashes against Valencia and Alba Berlin. The team is aiming to build momentum leading up to these important matches.
Real Madrid's display against Monaco was more than just survival; it demonstrated cohesion and tactical precision as they executed plays effectively throughout the game. Just two days prior, they had convincingly beaten league leaders Paris Basketball, showing signs of improved form as they inch closer to more consistent performances.
This victory not only signifies progress for Madrid but also raises questions about Monaco's current standing as they slip to 11-6, still firmly planted among the top teams but facing increased pressure from rivals such as Olympiacos and Bayern Munich, who are also vying for playoff spots.
Overall, the night belonged to Madrid as they reasserted themselves following previous setbacks. Their next match against Alba Berlin will be pivotal, as they seek to maintain this winning streak and potentially improve their rankings within the EuroLeague.
