AS Monaco Basket was defeated 78 to 90 on the Madrid court this Thursday evening in the Euroleague. A logical defeat, as the team from Monaco was overwhelmingly dominated in the first half.
A Euroleague week to quickly forget for the Monegasques! The players from the Principality collapsed in Madrid (78-90), during this 25th round. Monaco completely missed its first half, and never managed to catch up.
After the disappointment against Red Star Belgrade on their home court, the Roca Team traveled to Spain to face Real Madrid. The Merengues are on a six-game winning streak, the latest being against Milan. The Monegasques wanted to immediately restart a positive dynamic, after their first loss of 2026.
The Roca Team in great difficulty
The Roca Team struggles at the start of the match! The Monegasques are inaccurate in front of the basket and suffer Madrid’s offensive affronts. Vassilis Spanoulis’s men are down 4-13 and find no solution to pierce the Spanish defense. Real Madrid is shining from three-point range, 5/6 in the first quarter, and pulls away (9-23).
AS Monaco Basket is restrained by the Whites’ defense. Just before the end of the first quarter, Mike James’s teammates narrow the gap and come within 10 points (13-23). They are too inaccurate in front of the basket with only 33% shooting success rate. In rebounding, the Monegasques are once again this season, overwhelmingly dominated by their evening opponents.
A nightmarish first half for the Roca Team
Things don’t get better for the Roca Team at the start of the second quarter! This time, the Madrid team advances into Monaco’s paint and widens the gap (22-40). The Monegasques lack discipline and are penalized with a fifth foul after four minutes into this quarter.
The Madrid team scored 12 free throws in this second quarter. A statistic that highlights the defensive weaknesses of the Principality’s club. Vassilis Spanoulis’s men are in a nightmare and go into halftime trailing by 23 points (31-54). Nemanja Nedovic’s standpoint is clear. “Everything must change!“, declared the Serbian to Euroleague’s microphone.
An insufficient second-half effort
Returning from halftime, the Roca Team shows a slightly better face. However, it’s still insufficient to hope for a comeback in this game. The Monegasques remain inaccurate in front of the basket, with a low 43% shooting success rate.
On the defensive side, the players from the Rock are better and more disciplined. This is reflected on the scoreboard, as they only concede 17 points and win this third quarter (22-17). Vassilis Spanoulis’s men reduce the gap, but remain 18 points behind (53-71).
A too late awakening for the Roca Team
The Roca Team ignites the end of this match. The Monegasques haven’t had their last word and try to turn the tide in the final moments of this game. They come within nine points of the locals (66-75).
A resurgence, unfortunately, too late to secure the win. Monaco falls 78 to 90 on Real Madrid’s floor. A logical defeat in light of the first three quarters from Monaco. Despite a better last quarter, the performance was insufficient.
There is one last game this week for the Roca Team, at Saint-Quentin in Betclic Élite (January 25th). The next Euroleague encounter will be hosting Virtus Bologna (January 30th), as part of the 25th round.
