By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Rudy Fernandez emerged to push Real Madrid‘s late surge to seal a 78-73 victory against AX Armani Exchange Milan for Round 27 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, in a game played behind closed doors with no fans and media in attendance. The decision was taken after the recent coronavirus outbreak in Italy.
Fernandez led the efforts of the Spanish side with 16 points, four assists and a catalytic presence on the court during the fourth period, as Real grabbed a 20-5 lead five minutes in that quarter. Alongside Fernandez, Facu Campazzo (8 points) came off hot from the bench to help the visiting team seal the victory in the final two minutes of the game.
Real once again missed Sergio Llull, though multiple players stepped up to cover for his absence, with Trey Thompkins, Walter Tavares, and Nicolas Laprovittola also posting 13 points each.
Riccardo Moraschini led the efforts of the home team with 21 points and five rebounds. “We missed a great opportunity. We started well, we played well most of the game, but early in the fourth we allowed a run that condemned us. This is where we need to improve, to eliminate these down moments”, he commented after the game.
Real uses late surge to exceed its streak
Milano dominated their visitors for nearly three quarters, keeping a 55-46 lead after 30 minutes. The Spanish side eventually grabbed the lead for the first time in the game with Fernandez and Garuba pacing its effort. Micov soon made it a two-point game (69-67, 38′), though Tavares was there to keep Real ahead for the remainder of the game.
“I am very happy for the victory, knowing that it was very difficult and our start was not very good, but we were able to turn the game around”, said Pablo Laso on EuroLeague TV after the game.
This marks the visitors’ sixth straight victory, improving to a 21-6 record with hopes to keep up the pace against ASVEL on Thursday. On the other side, Milano suffered its fifth straight defeat, falling further down to an 11-16 record while facing Valencia for Round 28.
Photo: EuroLeague