Crvena Zvezda vs Real Madrid

Crvena Zvezda is set to host Real Madrid on Friday for matchday 32 of the EuroLeague, a pivotal encounter as both teams strive to secure a playoff spot.

Crvena Zvezda enters this fixture in strong form, having won their last two EuroLeague games and four consecutive matches across all competitions. This impressive run comes after they had suffered three straight defeats in Europe.

Ioannis Sfairopoulos’s squad regained momentum with a crucial away victory over Olympiacos, the league leaders. They then capitalized on that success with a dominant 88-52 triumph against Bologna at home in midweek. These results have propelled Red Star to fifth place in the standings with an 18-13 record, with only three rounds remaining.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, has also strengthened their playoff aspirations. The Spanish powerhouse is riding a six-game winning streak across all competitions, including three consecutive EuroLeague victories.

Chus Mateo’s side secured a 96-89 win against Milan in their most recent outing, marking their 17th win of the season. This result pushed them up to ninth place, where they are level on record with three other teams. However, a loss in Belgrade could put their play-in hopes at risk, potentially knocking them out of contention.

Crvena Zvezda have been impressive lately, securing six wins in their last ten games. They’ve been particularly dominant at home, frequently covering the +2.5 spread. While their offense averages a modest 82 points per game (13th in the league), their elite defense—allowing just 79.7 points (2nd best)—has been key to their success.

Their defensive discipline was on full display in Wednesday’s commanding 88-52 victory over Virtus Bologna, where they stifled stars Tornike Shengelia and Will Clyburn, holding them to just 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Another bright spot for Zvezda has been their investment in youth development, which is now bearing fruit with promising young players stepping up. Additionally, the team welcomes back Filip Petrusev, who returns after missing last week due to injury.

Real Madrid remain in peak form, winning eight of their last ten matchups. Their road performances have been just as strong as their home games, maintaining consistency no matter the venue. Notably, their away games have stayed under 165.5 total points in seven consecutive outings.

The Spanish powerhouses rank among the league’s best in multiple offensive categories—leading in two-point shooting percentage, second in assists, and fifth in offensive rebounds and blocks. Defensively, they’re just as formidable, conceding only 82.2 points per game (7th best).

In their latest game, Mateo Chus’ squad cruised to a 96-89 victory over Olimpia Milano, with Dzanan Musa (21 points) and Walter Tavares (19 points) leading the charge. The team is also in excellent health, with no injury concerns. Fun fact: Real Madrid boast one of the most illustrious trophy cabinets in European basketball history.