Real Madrid hosts Hapoel Tel Aviv in the second round of the EuroLeague playoffs, with the mission of closing out the series without surprises. After a solid victory in the first game, the white team relies on its defensive strength and the accuracy of its stars to overcome the Israeli side, which will try to break the script at the WiZink Center. A win would avoid traveling to Tel Aviv with the series still open.
Tactical analysis: defense as the key to success 🏀
Chus Mateo's plan involves stifling the opponent's ball outlet with aggressive perimeter defense, key to preventing Hapoel from finding rhythm in transition. On offense, the priority is to play patiently and look for interior players near the basket, where Madrid's physical advantage is evident. Campazzo's ability to read pick-and-rolls and Musa's outside threat will be weapons to punish an Israeli defense that tends to overextend.
Hapoel's Plan B: pray and shoot threes 🤞
Hapoel arrives with just enough morale and a game plan that seems written on a napkin: run, shoot threes, and hope Madrid has a bad day. If the white team is accurate on defense, the Israelis will end up more lost than a tourist at Puerta del Sol without a phone. In the end, the series will be decided on the court, not in the offices, although the hosts start with an advantage.