© Stickel
Hard to match this level of quality: FC Bayern Basketball struggled against top-tier opposition: just 48 hours after their BBL win in Rostock, they were unable to handle the away challenge against EuroLeague contender AS Monaco. After 25 competitive minutes, they ultimately fell 74–93 (40–46). In the partially filled Stade Louis II, the new leader in the standings from Monaco played more physically, committed fewer turnovers (5 to 17), and effectively attacked Bayern’s basket.
Bayern was missing both captain Lucic and da Silva, who had twisted his ankle in Rostock and was rested with Friday’s game in mind. Next, FCBB (10 wins, 6 losses) will face Milan.
AS Monaco - FC Bayern Basketball 93:74 (46:40)
- FCBB:Carsen Edwards (17 points, 5 rebounds), Johannes Voigtmann (13), Danko Brankovic (11), Nick Weiler-Babb (9, 6 assists), Onuralp Bitim (6), Andreas Obst (5), Elias Harris (4), Niels Giffey (3), Shabazz Napier (2), Ivan Kharchenkov (2), Devin Booker (2, 6 rebounds), Kevin Yebo.
- Top scorer Monaco:Georgios Papagiannis (14 points)
- RefereeEmin Mogulkoc, Igor Dragojevic, Vassilis Pitsilkas
- Attendance4,176
Munich's 29:18 Lead
In Monaco, Brankovic started at center, and the Croatian quickly scored five points under the basket. Bayern's defense held strong, and the team got off to a good start: 23:15 and then 29:18 after Voigtmann's three-pointer (11th minute).
However, four minutes later, AS Monaco took the lead at 32:31, largely thanks to their 2.20-meter-tall center, Papagiannis. From the second quarter onward (16:28), FCBB struggled to secure the paint.
Gordon Herbert's team stayed close for a while (51:52 at the 25th minute), but Monaco began to break down Bayern’s defense again, pulling away decisively to 72:56 by the 29th minute. Monaco’s offensively strong guards, led by James, continued to defend aggressively until the final quarter. Herbert turned to his bench early in the fourth, but Monaco maintained their intensity. Despite Bayern’s efforts (14:16 in the final quarter), the game was already lost.
Quotes:
Gordon Herbert, Head Coach of FC Bayern Basketball: "We played solid basketball for twelve minutes; unfortunately, the game lasts 40 minutes. Their physicality on defense hurt us, and we had many turnovers. On the other hand, they got into the paint whenever they wanted on offense. There was no resistance."
Niels Giffey: "They clearly took us very seriously and defended physically until the end. Our defense, on the other hand, broke down in the third quarter. That’s when they showed their class. But it’s not over; we’ll give it everything to bounce back and put in a solid performance again on Friday."