By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Navigating through the demanding schedule balancing between the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Spain’s Liga Endesa, Real Madrid also faces plenty of injury issues.
Head coach Chus Mateo updated the injury list ahead of the team trip to Greece to battle Olympiacos in Peace and Friendship Stadium Friday. Sergio Rodriguez (knee), Alberto Abalde (ankle), and Nigel Williams-Goss (illness) were all ruled out of EuroLeague Regular Season Round 20.
“Sergio Rodriguez hurt his knee in Granada,” noted Mateo referring to the ACB Regular Season Round 16 game at Coviran Granada Sunday, “He underwent tests today. The injury shouldn’t be serious. I hope it’s not long-term.”
“Williams-Goss had a fever, he wasn’t feeling well,” the 53-year-old play-caller switched to the American guard.
“Alberto Abalde was injured in practice. He sprained his ankle” added Mateo on the third new entry to the injury list.
Carlos Alocen (knee) and Anthony Randolph (knee) remain out. Neither has been registered on the EuroLeague squad. The 12 remaining players are available, including Gabriel Deck after missing the last three outings in Europe’s premier club continental competition with a leg injury.
The Whites riding a five-game winning streak across all competitions improved the EuroLeague record to 13-6, good enough for sole possession of the top spot on the standings. Upping the ACB W-L tally to 13-3 shaped a three-way top-place tie with FC Barcelona and Cazoo Baskonia.
As for Olympiacos, Giorgos Bartzokas currently enjoys a healthy roster. His side sits at 12-7 in a four-way tie for second place behind Madrid.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net