Real Madrid vs Milano

Real Madrid will face Olimpia Milan in a high-stakes EuroLeague matchup on Tuesday, with both teams locked in a tight battle for playoff positioning. Currently tied in the standings with identical 16-14 records, neither side can afford a slip-up at this critical stage of the season.

Holding the final play-in spot, Real Madrid have built momentum with back-to-back wins, including an 81-70 victory over ASVEL in their last outing. With just four games remaining, Chus Mateo’s squad knows that winning out could secure their postseason berth.

However, Milan will be no easy opponent. The Italian side has triumphed in their last two meetings against Madrid, including an 85-76 win in November. While both teams have evolved since then, Milan will look to replicate that success.

Like their Spanish rivals, Milan is fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. Yet their recent form has been shaky, suffering a heavy 92-79 defeat to Paris in their latest game—their second loss in three matches. With the season on the line, Tuesday’s clash promises high intensity as both teams battle for survival.

Real Madrid has asserted dominance in their recent EuroLeague outings, comfortably dispatching Virtus and Asvel. These victories have significantly strengthened their position in the standings, and with a favorable schedule ahead, they have a strong opportunity to secure a playoff spot. Once in the postseason, they will be a formidable opponent that no team will want to encounter. The squad has seen notable improvements from several players, while the arrival of Bruno Fernando and the return of Gabriel Deck from injury have bolstered their presence in the paint. Additionally, Walter Tavares delivered his most impressive performance of the season against Asvel.

These developments are promising for head coach Chus Mateo, but the team’s success will depend on key players like Facundo Campazzo, Mario Hezonja, and Dzanan Musa rediscovering their top form in the coming weeks. While all three are capable of producing brilliant offensive displays, refining their decision-making will be crucial, as their pursuit of highlight-worthy plays sometimes results in avoidable errors. Alberto Abalde has contributed valuable minutes off the bench, while veteran Sergio Llull remains a vital presence, particularly as the season reaches its decisive phase.

On the other side, Milano suffered a disappointing defeat against Paris last Tuesday, showing little resistance. This result leaves them level with Real Madrid at 16-14 in the standings. However, the reigning Italian champions have the advantage of a favorable schedule in their final three EuroLeague games, positioning them well for a top-eight finish. If an opportunity arises to pull off an upset in Madrid, they will be eager to capitalize on it—especially considering they already defeated Los Blancos earlier in the season, a result that hinted at their steady improvement.

Milano’s greatest strength lies in their interior game, and they will look to leverage this against Real Madrid. Nikola Mirotic and Zach LeDay have been consistently excellent, using their versatility to draw Tavares and Madrid’s other big men away from the basket. Another key weapon for Milano is their ability to shoot from deep, as all their players pose a three-point threat, making it challenging for Madrid to anticipate the primary danger. Fabien Causeur will be highly motivated to perform against his former team, Shavon Shields is in excellent form, and Nico Mannion has the potential to be an X-factor coming off the bench.