Real Madrid seeks to avoid its worst debut in the EuroLeague

The start of Pedro Martínez's stage at Real Madrid has generated contradictory expectations. Although the team won the Super Cup of the Euroleague, the initial stages of the season have shown evidence of inconsistency and issues with results in the continental competition. In the Euroleague, where they have yet to secure a victory, the white squad approaches their match against Hapoel Tel Aviv at a crossroads that will set the tone for the entire project.

The risk of a historically negative record

Against the Israeli team, Real Madrid is playing for much more than three points. A loss in this third round would mean three consecutive defeats, a result they have never experienced in their 68 years of participation in European competitions. So far, their worst starts were in the 1999-00 and 2020-21 seasons, both with two consecutive losses. Breaking that barrier would set an uncomfortable precedent for any project, especially one that starts with a title to its name.

The context of the match does not favor the Madrid team. Hapoel Tel Aviv presents a competitive roster with quality players like Micic, Bryant, and Satoransky, rivals who demand peak performance. Furthermore, Real Madrid will face their third consecutive away game, a circumstance that has become a concerning trend lately.

Weaknesses as visitors in the Euroleague

The problem facing the white team transcends a poor start to the season. Data from the last two campaigns reveal a troubling trend: playing outside Madrid has become the Achilles' heel of Real Madrid in the Euroleague. During those periods, the team has accumulated only a 34.2% win rate as visitors, with records of 6-13 and 7-10 that highlight a clear disadvantage when playing on the road.

The current two losses against Dubai BC and Anadolu Efes exemplify this fragility. Both matches were decided in the final minutes, suggesting that the issue is not just a lack of quality, but problems in managing critical moments and consistency under pressure. This dynamic, combined with the fact that they have only won 13 of their last 38 European away games, contrasts drastically with their performance in the 2023-24 season, where they logged a 13-4 record as visitors.

A turning point for Martínez's project

The magnitude of the match against Hapoel Tel Aviv goes beyond just avoiding a 0-3 record. It represents a turning point where it will be decided whether the start of Pedro Martínez's project will be remembered as a necessary transition or the beginning of an institutional nightmare. The team has shown good phases of play at various moments, but the ability to convert those performances into results has been lacking.

The challenge is multifaceted: regaining confidence after two consecutive defeats, resolving the structural issues affecting their performance as visitors, and demonstrating that the Super Cup won was not an illusion but the reflection of a solid project. It will be crucial for the team's key players to take responsibility to reverse the trend and for the coaching staff to find the tactical keys to compete on equal terms away from Madrid.

The importance of the psychological factor

The psychological component of this situation should not be underestimated. A 0-3 start in the Euroleague raises doubts about the viability of the project, regardless of the merits shown in other competitions. The players and coaching staff are aware that another defeat would amplify questioning and greatly complicate any subsequent recovery. Conversely, a victory in Tel Aviv could serve as a catalyst to unlock the team and restore the necessary confidence to compete at the highest level.

The path to recovery

If Real Madrid manages to win in Tel Aviv, the narrative will change significantly. It would shift from being on the brink of a historic abyss to starting a recovery process that, although late, would still allow them to compete for ambitious goals in the Euroleague. However, if the loss occurs, the pressure on the project will be suffocating, and each subsequent result will be evaluated under the scrutiny of that catastrophic start.

The team has the opportunity to write its own story in the coming days. Against a Hapoel Tel Aviv that will present considerable resistance, Real Madrid must find a way to play consistently, manage critical moments, and demonstrate that it possesses the winning mentality that characterizes the institution. Only then can it avoid a record that would be forever etched in the annals of European competition.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Real Madrid busca evitar su peor debut en Euroliga