Solid in sequences, sometimes irregular, AS Monaco held their ground against Real Madrid for a long time during the 18th day of the Euroleague on Thursday evening at Gaston-Médecin. Led by their offensive leaders, the Roca Team faltered but regained control in the final quarter to win (100-95).
After two Euroleague losses to Fenerbahçe and at the court of Baskonia, Monaco wanted to confirm their rebound seen against Bayern Munich a week earlier (103-77). Sixth in the standings before this 18th day (ten wins, seven losses), the Roca Team hosted a Real Madrid always difficult to maneuver. As the reigning European vice-champion, ASM advanced with its offensive certainties but also faced one of the most dominant interior players on the continent, Walter Tavares.
The start of the match is interesting for the Roca Team. By provoking a foul from Alberto Abalde, Alpha Diallo quickly opens the score for Monaco on the free throw line. Real has a hard time getting into the game before relying on Walter Tavares. Dominating near the basket and in rebounds, the Madrid pivot quickly causes havoc. Almost in a double-double after five minutes, he presents a real physical challenge to the Roca Team.
Monaco struggles, loses too many balls, and has difficulty establishing their collective game. The players from the Principality compensate with individual feats and points gleaned from free throws (6/6). Mike James and Alpha Diallo keep AS Monaco afloat. At the end of the first quarter, Monaco leads by one point (21-20).
More methodical in the second quarter, the Roca Team exploits the size advantage of Kevarrius Hayes near the basket to create a small gap. Monaco leads by +5 and finally finds their rhythm without yet reaching their usual level of play.
Elie Okobo (11 points) and Mike James (seven points, three assists) provide momentum. The Roca Team protects the ball better (only two turnovers in the quarter) and limits the impact of Walter Tavares, still very present (19 points, eight rebounds), but often isolated in a Real Madrid team lacking inspiration, hampered by a game disrupted by fouls.
You to me
Returning from the locker room, Monaco accelerates. Mike James showcases his class and tries his luck well beyond the three-point line. It goes in, offering an ongoing 8-0 run, and the Roca Team takes up to a twelve-point lead. Real reacts with a ball poorly managed by Mike James and Elie Okobo, Facundo Campazzo intercepts and finishes on a fast break. The Monégasques occasionally show nonchalance, allowing the Madrilenians to get back into the game.
Without making noise, Real Madrid draws level before the fourth quarter. Carried by an excellent Facundo Campazzo (14 points, eight assists). The Argentine playmaker adjusts his long-distance accuracy (9/18) and erases a 14-point deficit. Monaco multiplies misses near the basket and ends up causing themselves a scare despite 17 offensive rebounds. The collective machine runs slowly.
And it is Nikola Mirotic who puts Monaco back on track. Found by Mathew Strazel, the former Real Madrid player scores ten points in the final quarter to give some cushion back to the Roca Team. The Spaniard then reaches 4,263 points in the Euroleague, becoming the fourth-best scorer in the history of the competition, behind Mike James (5,574), Nando De Colo (5,009), and his coach Vassilis Spanoulis (4,455).
With three minutes remaining, Monaco leads 93-81 and seems to have done the most in this match. But that was without counting on the devilish Facundo Campazzo who strings together baskets and instills doubt at Gaston Medecin. Despite his 28 points, the Argentine fails to turn the match around.
The Roca Team wins (100-95) for their last home game of the year. The players from the Principality move up to the 6th place in the Euroleague standings before traveling on Tuesday to face Barcelona for their last match of the year 2025.
