Madrid seeks to confirm its response against Milan and ASVEL

After accumulating three defeats in the European competition and bolstering their presence in ACB with narrow victories, the Madrid team has found two consecutive wins that change the perception of the project. The victories against Partizan and Kids&Us Manresa represent a turning point in the internal narrative, a breath of fresh air that allows for belief that the path laid out is the right one and that the pieces, although new, are starting to fit together.

The European calendar shows no mercy. The upcoming midweek of the highest continental competition arrives with the intention of punishing any relaxation. The challenge is twofold: first, traveling to Milan on Tuesday, October 13, at 20:30 to face Olimpia Milano; then, hosting ASVEL at the Goya pavilion on Thursday the 15th at 21:00. Two matches that serve as a real thermometer for the current situation.

The importance of a perfect week

With a record of 1-3 in the standings, coming out 2-0 from this double round would mean a "clean slate" that would return the team to a more hopeful 3-3. Olimpia Milano shares the same record, which amplifies the significance of the Italian matchup. A victory on transalpine soil would not only add vital points but also exorcise the ghosts of poor results away from home, a burden that has haunted the project in its initial weeks.

Pedro Martínez has emphasized the mentality of continuous improvement, regardless of immediate results. The coach explained in Valdebebas, hours before leaving for Milan, that the key lies in maintaining the team’s identity beyond sporadic victories. "Just because a player scores one day or because the team scores easily, we shouldn't assume it will always happen," he warned, underscoring that each opponent presents different challenges and that consistency in play must prevail over fluctuations in success.

The newcomers drive the reaction

Nick Smith Jr. has arrived to be crucial in attack, showing from his first interventions that he brings offensive solutions that were missing. Jantunen has become omnipresent on the court, while Luwawu-Cabarrot displays a complete offensive arsenal capable of swaying the balance. Martínez's new project needs time to develop, but the first signs indicate that the pieces can work when they synchronize.

The coach is aware that these days are crucial for indicating the right direction. The squad shows increasing cohesion, a factor that transcends individual statistics. With proper rotations and rest, Martínez has managed to keep his team at a sensational physical level, which reduces the excuse of fatigue and shifts the responsibility to tactical and mental performance.

ASVEL, a renewed and ambitious rival

The French team recently surprised with a last-second victory against Paris, demonstrating that it has the capacity to compete in decisive moments. Under the leadership of Tony Parker, both as coach and president, ASVEL has incorporated quality NBA experience: Patty Mills, Jae Crowder, and TyTy Washington are signings that reflect ambition. Despite the financial chaos that forced them to part with players like Sylvain Francisco and Armoni Brooks, the French project aims to be one of the season's revelations.

This makes Thursday's match a clash between two teams looking to redefine their trajectories. Madrid wants to consolidate its recovery; ASVEL seeks to confirm that its new additions can compete at the highest level. The context adds intensity to a matchup that, on paper, seems manageable for the Madrilenians but demands full concentration.

No room for complacency

Madrid cannot afford to drop the pace. A gray start filled with doubts has left a trail that can only be erased with consistency. The squad knows that the coming days will determine whether the reaction is genuine or just a temporary illusion fueled by playing at home. Martínez has everything he needs: a physically prepared team, new talents that bring freshness, and a mentality that prioritizes the process over isolated results.

The upcoming week will define whether this Madrid project is viable or if, on the contrary, structural problems persist beneath a layer of sporadic victories. Milan and ASVEL will be the judges of a reality that will only be known when the final buzzer sounds in both matches.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Madrid busca confirmar su reacción ante Milán y ASVEL