Bayern will start 2025 at Real Madrid

Back at work: Bayern gathered again on New Year's Day, as 2025 begins for them with unchanged intensity. On Friday evening, the team led by Gordon Herbert will face the Iberian champion Real Madrid, last year's finalists. And after traveling from Spain to the German capital, only 46 hours after the game against Real, the next tip-off awaits: at 3 p.m. for the BBL classic against Alba Berlin.

Next week, the schedule continues in the same way: Friday evening at Olympiakos Piraeus (8:15 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon (4:30 p.m.) away in Mannheim against current BBL runners-up Heidelberg.

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Clásico Winner Against Barcelona

First, it's off to Madrid, where on Friday (9:00 p.m./MagentaSport), a revitalized Real, currently with a 9-9 record, awaits the Munich team. The Royals have recently celebrated three consecutive EuroLeague victories, including an impressive win against former league leaders Paris (96:85) and a dominant performance against current leaders Monaco (94:72). On Sunday, they also triumphed in the Spanish Clásico against FC Barcelona, 73:71 (37:31). As a result, Madrid (9-4) is back in striking distance of the top in the ACB, behind Valencia (11-3) and Malaga (10-3), and well ahead of their Catalan rivals (7-6).

“Real is one of the best teams in Europe year after year, and that hasn't changed,” says FCBB coach Herbert. “Especially away, this will be a real test for us. We need to take care of the ball on offense, and the rebounds will undoubtedly be a key factor.”

Campazzo the Leader

Three months ago, the Bayern team surprised Chus Mateo's squad with a memorable debut at the SAP Garden, securing a 97:89 triumph and a groundbreaking offensive performance. The victory, on October 3, was sealed by captain Vladimir Lucic (7/7 free throws); however, this remains the only EuroLeague home game for the Serbian forward, whose absence should soon come to an end.

Real struggled for a long time following the departures of seasoned veterans Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez (both retired), Fabien Causeur (to Milan), and Guerschon Yabusele (NBA). But under the leadership of playmaker Facundo Campazzo (13 PpS, 7.5 ApS), the structure has returned. The partnership between the Argentine and the outstanding EuroLeague center Walter Tavares (10.4 PpS; 8.1 RpS) remains tough to stop.

Mario Hezonja (14.1 PpS), Dzanan Musa (12.4), and the indestructible legend Sergio Llull (6.5) continue to be notable names. Serge Ibaka, who won double titles with the FCBB last season, is adapting to a smaller role in this star-studded lineup (13 minutes, 7.0 PpS).

The Next FCBB Games

• Friday, January 3, 9:00 p.m.: 19th EuroLeague Game Day, Real Madrid - FCBB
• Sunday, January 5, 3:00 p.m.: 13th easyCredit BBL Game Day, Alba Berlin - FCBB
• Friday, January 10, 8:15 p.m.: 20th EuroLeague Game Day, Olympiakos Piraeus - FCBB

• Sunday, January 12, 4:30 p.m.: 13th easyCredit BBL Game Day, MLP Academics Heidelberg - FCBB (in Mannheim)

• Wednesday, January 15, 8:30 p.m.: 21st EuroLeague Game Day, FCBB – AS Monaco (SAP Garden)