Fifth game of the season, beginning of October, and Real Madrid is already facing its first emergencies of the season. Not in terms of qualifying, since we already know that the course is eternal and there is a lot left for what is important, but in terms of sensations and mood. The new project has not yet started: three defeats in a row when only four games have been played. Beating Casademont Zaragoza (12:30 p.m.) is necessary to clear up doubts.
It will be Madrid’s debut at the WiZink Center this season. Rarely have the whites needed to play a game at home so much, in the warmth of their people, who can give them shelter in the storm. The last time they did it was on June 10 and it served to put the Endesa League final on track against UCAM Murcia. Now, the reality is very different. The dawn is not being sunny.
Ibaka and Deck shake hands after a play.
Among all the defects to correct, which for now are many, Chus Mateo focuses on the defense. Madrid has conceded 89 points in the four games played and the figure rises to 91 in the three defeats suffered. “We have to be more together, try to better understand what we want as a team and, of course, defend much more. We need to feel solid at the back and make fewer losses. We have played good defensive moments, but this has to last in minutes”considers the technician.
Hezonja, ready to return
In defense and much more it could help Mario Hezonja if he finally plays. The three defeats have been in his absence. In the final of the Endesa Super Cup and on the first day of ACB against Leyma Coruña, for a virus that made him lose seven kilos and left him very weak. Already recovered, in the Euroleague premiere against Bayern he was absent because I was about to be a father for the first time.. This Saturday he was seen training normally and everything indicates that it will be ready.
Although we started losing, it is in our head that we are going to have a great season
Mateo, more than looking at the rival, focuses on improving his team. “I would like us to look at ourselves and do things better. With optimism, in front of our people and with their help, it will surely be easier,” confides the coach, hopeful despite the bad start to the season: “Although we started losing, it is in our head that we are going to have a great season”.
Casademont Zaragoza hopes to take advantage of the weak moment of the ACB championalthough they do not consider it to be an advantage “at all, quite the opposite,” says Porfirio Fisac. The handy technician explains that “We always prefer to catch these teams when they are in a normal dynamic than in a situation in which losing one or two games for them seems to mean the world”. And he does not hesitate to highlight the positive aspects of the rival: “They are playing very good basketball and doing things with great judgment even though they are damaged by the defeats.
