The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich lost on the road to Real Madrid 91-78 on the 23rd gameday of the EuroLeague. In front of 10,256 spectators, Bayern played to their abilities only periodically and not enough to win at the Wizink Arena against the Spanish defending champions. Nevertheless, the German champions played a balanced game until the break. However, a weak third quarter was decisive for the twelfth defeat of the season (eleven wins). While Real qualified early for the playoffs with the win, Bayern, currently ninth in the standings, still has every chance of making it to the knockout round. Danilo Barthel was the top scorer with 14 points for the Munich team, which was weakened injuries and again lacked Milan Macvan, Devin Booker and Stefan Jovic.
The FCBB will continue this Friday, March 1st when they play on the road against the Montenegrin champions Podgorica, before the Bundesliga home game against Bremerhaven on Sunday, March 3rd (15:00).
Points per quarter Bayern - Real: 17-22, 22-20, 13-29, 26-20.
FCBB Stats: Danilo Barthel (14 points/5 rebounds/4 assists), Vladimir Lucic (10/6), Nihad Djedovic (10/4), Petteri Koponen (10/4), Braydon Hobbs (9/7 assists), Derrick Williams (9), Maodo Lo (7), Nemanja Dangubic (7), Leon Radosevic (2), Robin Amaize, Marvin Ogunsipe, Alex King.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "Congratulations to Real on his well-deserved victory. Except for a minute and a few seconds it was a good first half for us. But after the third quarter the game was decided, they had a clear lead quickly and then controlled it. Our injury situation over the last few weeks has not been easy, but we're still fighting."
Danilo Barthel: "We made far too many mistakes in the third quarter. They were suddenly aggressive and our mistakes gave them some easy points. We kept getting there, but then they took advantage of our weaknesses in rotation or rebounding. In the end, they brought it home too easy."
1st quarter
The weakened Bavarians started the game against the defending champions with Maodo Lo, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Derrick Williams and Danilo Barthel. In the duel of the best rebounding team in the EuroLeague (Real) against the weakest (FCBB) it was precisely these second chances on the offensive boards that allowed the Spaniards to lead 9-4 after five minutes of play. Despite the problems under the basket, the Bavarians were solid in the first quarter. Fast hands on defense by Petteri Koponen ended in a fastbreak bucket and a little later Danilo Barthel took the first Munich lead with a pair of free-throws (13-11/7.). Bayern missed some chances to extend their lead (1/6 three), which Real immediately punished and before the first siren the home team had brought back the lead thanks to a 10-2 run.
2nd quarter
The Munich team had a very bad start into the second section: Two turnovers and a few Real dunks led to a 31-17 deficit. The FCBB now had to face a 19-2 run from the Spanish team. After these four extremely weak minutes the German champions fought their way back into the game. Petteri Koponen, Maodo Lo and Leon Radosevic shortened the gap again into the single digit range with some nice play on both sides of the court. Two minutes before half-time Bayern had returned to within striking distance after Danilo Barthel's second trio and Nihad Djedovic's first points and were down 38-34 with two minutes to play in the half. An improved three-point percentage (5/13) and good ball handling (only 4 turnovers/Real 6) were decisive for the Munich team to be able to dream of the upset again during the break.
3rd quarter
The game picked up speed after the restart: Hardly any interruptions and points from the fast break on both sides again and again. After the Bavarians had produced two turnovers in a row Bayern called a time-out. In every tight situation Real found success and began to pull away in front of a loud home crowd. While Real scored at will from deep, Munich had to fight hard for every point- almost exclusively in one-on-one situations. And as in both previous quarters, the visitors conceded a buzzerbeater to take a 71-52 lead heading into the final quarter.
4th quarter
The game was as good as decided after the weak third quarter, but the Bavarians continued to fight to at least get back in the ball game. Braydon Hobbs helped the caused with a steal and a three but the weakened Bavarians now lacked the energy to stop Real on defense. Because the Spaniards lost some concentration and Bayern pushed to within 10 points in only 60 seconds to 78-68, Real coach Pablo Laso took a time-out with five minutes to play. The Spanish champion's answer was Sergio Llull who put a distance between the teams that the Germans could never overcome.
(Photo-Credit: Cobos | Getty & Stickel)