Real Madrid falls to Hapoel in its darkest start in EuroLeague history

The Real Madrid has hit rock bottom in Sofia after a night of extreme contrasts that perfectly summarizes the defensive crisis facing Pedro Martínez's project. The defeat by 102-98 against Hapoel at the Arena 8888 is not just another result in the continental competition: it represents the worst European start in the 68-year history of the white club, with a record of 0-3 that hurts beyond the numbers.

Neither the 98 points scored nor the 20-point comeback in a wild third quarter can disguise the deep cracks of a team that is constantly stuck in a defensive identity crisis. The numbers from the first half were devastating: 63 points conceded, a 12/18 in three-pointers from the opponent, and a 63-43 score at halftime that reflected the absolute collapse of the Madrid defensive system.

The initial collapse at Arena 8888

The performance was chaotic. In just 15 minutes of play, Hapoel had already accumulated 50 points, mercilessly exploiting every crack in Pedro Martínez's system. Vasilije Micic and a colossal Elijah Bryant read the riot act to a white defense that couldn't find answers. The Bulgarian team played with surgical precision from the perimeter, demonstrating that the problems of the Real Madrid in Euroliga go far beyond absences or specific tactical adjustments.

The defensive decision to sink the center to protect the paint became a candy for Bruno Caboclo, who hammered away from long distance with a flawless 5/5 in three-pointers. Hapoel tore apart the Madrid game plan from the perimeter with a 42.9% success rate from three, numbers that highlight the lack of defensive coherence of Pedro Martínez's men. While the white team sank, the Bulgarians played with the confidence of those who know they have control of the game.

The lesson of pride in the third quarter

What happened after halftime was a lesson in pride, but also a reflection of the dependency that is beginning to mature in the project. Supported by the dirty work of Walter Tavares under the hoops — 14 points and 13 rebounds — and the flashes from Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, Théo Maledon took absolute control of the game. The French point guard led an epic run of 0-19 in a 12-32 third quarter that leveled the score at 75-75 and demonstrated the enormous offensive ceiling of this group.

Maledon finished with 26 points and 7 assists, reaching a rating of 40. His leadership was unquestionable in the moments when the team needed to react. However, dependence on his offensive performance became a double-edged sword: while the French point guard took on all the scoring responsibility, the other summer reinforcements simply were not present when they were most needed.

The duel of the 40 credits

The night featured a colossal matchup between Maledon and Bryant, both reaching a rating of 40. The American from Hapoel contributed 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists, showcasing a physical and tactical presence that the Real Madrid could not counter in the final minutes. Although the Madrid comeback was spectacular, Bryant had more support in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, which was decisive for Hapoel to secure a victory that, in the current context, weighs like a slab.

The blackout of the old guard and the uncertain future

While the new players took on the scoring responsibility, the offensive contribution from the traditional leaders was anecdotal. Facundo Campazzo barely contributed 3 points and Gabriel Deck with just 1 point. Without their leadership on the line, the overexertion from the comeback ultimately came back to haunt a Madrid that died on the shore once again, proving that the problems go beyond tactical or situational issues.

The reality is uncomfortable: the Real Madrid is not only losing games in the Euroliga, but they are doing so in a way that exposes the lack of defensive cohesion, dependence on specific players, and the inability to maintain pace for 40 minutes. The 0-3 is not an accident; it is the result of structural issues that require deep solutions, not just superficial adjustments.

The continental competition does not wait for castaways. Every defeat in this format becomes a more difficult mountain to climb, and the white team knows that the upcoming games will be decisive to prevent the crisis from deepening even further. Pedro Martínez and his team have the responsibility to find quick answers, because in the Euroliga, time runs out mercilessly.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Real Madrid cae ante el Hapoel en su inicio más negro de Euroliga de la historia