THE WORLD | Efe Madrid

Madrid

Updated Thursday, February 8, 2024-22:54

  • 26th day Classification

Real Madrid suffered a disastrous first half in Milan, where they suffered their fourth defeat of the season in the Euroleague, a victim of their mistakes and the inspiration of

Shavon Shields

(27 points) and

Nikola Mirotic

(23 in 25 minutes, with six triples). The whites, who lost by 21 points, were able to get closer in the final stretch, but ended up blaming their errors in the free throw and a couple of controversial decisions by the referees.

[Narrative and statistics (81-76)]

Despite the new additions of

Walter Tavares

and

Sergio Llull

, recovered from their injuries, the leader offered a very poor level during the first half. The Forum Mediolanum fans rubbed their eyes at their team's 21-0 run, led by Mirotic and Shields' triples. At halftime, Olimpia doubled in rebounds (26-13) and had only conceded four baskets out of two, three in the first four minutes and another with two seconds left before the intermission (48-29, min.20).

Given the circumstances, Chus Mateo

's team

could only improve. A cool head led him to get within 14 thanks to a triple from Gabriel Deck and although he received five points in a row from Rodney McGruder, he was able to recover again with an 0-7. What at times seemed impossible, a visitor showing signs of vital signs, had happened. Even in those, both sides spent two minutes without putting the ball in the hoop, a negative dynamic that Mirotic broke with a triple.

Partial 2-15

And then the resurrection of Real Madrid was confirmed. Given the lack of inspiration from

Facundo Campazzo

, it was

Sergio Rodríguez

who stepped up to captain the white ship with two triples and an assist for

Vincent Poirier

's

alley hoop

.

Guerschon Yabusele

and Llull also rowed with them

, and suddenly a 2-15 partial put the team within three.

However, if there was someone on the court who was not willing to see a comeback, it was, of course, Mirotic. His pride, added to his quality and competitiveness, awakened that version that makes him one of the best players in Europe.

The Balkan lifted Olimpia again. Real Madrid had the tie after having hit the three-pointers, but that did not happen. And a steal by Shields and the subsequent trip to the basket sealed with two frees ended up sealing the victory.