Real Madrid's streak survives in the agony of La Fonteta

Real Madrid's streak survived the Fonteta, a rough night against a Valencia willing and convinced of being the first to make the whites fall after 18 games. But Alex Mumbrú's men, like so many others, ended up giving up, they on the shore, exhausted in the agony of a second half in which their offensive lucidity went out, in which there was no longer a trace of a Brandon Davies who had dawned like a cyclone. And in which Campazzo's temperance and Tavares' defensive power made the difference. [73-76: Narration and statistics]

Mumbrú remains unlucky against Chus Mateo, five defeats in five matches since both started on the bench last year. And his team now boasts of the fang it missed, the muscle that holds almost everyone's pulse and a great start to the course.. Recovered from the stomach virus that affected their squad (although Jared Harper is out), Real Madrid felt the local pressure from the very start. A Valencia in depth, equaling in energy and raising the bar of aggressiveness. He has the physique for it, that's what Mumbrú wanted his team to do, so as not to be intimidated by anyone, not even the most powerful in Europe.. But if anyone was going to get the whites off their nerves it was Brandon Davies.

Five points in a row from Deck and a triple from Musa, all well agitated by Campazzo, gave the first white lead (15-21). But, then, 'Rambo' deployed his entire arsenal of resources, openly against Tavares, as Damien Inglis did not have with Yabusele, a horrible night in defense for the Frenchman from Madrid. The former Barça player, who already scored 27 points for the whites playing for Zalgiris, scored 18 in a thunderous, impeccable first act: he only missed one of his nine shots.

And now with the second units, with Jovic at the controls and Ojeleye also on fire, the Taronjas felt powerful, dominating the one that no one dominates, advantages to believe (37-29). A first of fireworks, with success by both and exchange of blows.

Although it was going to take Chris Jones three seconds after half-time to score the first basket, Madrid was another. Now Tavares was capable of stopping Davies and Musa and Deck were true demons who took advantage of the transitions caused by the defense. The local advantage disappeared, but the bid remained, with the physical level at the heights of La Fonteta.

Few points, a lot of tension. The duel seemed like the end of the season. Neither was able to break, with the outcome approaching. But Valencia had a serious offensive problem. Each basket was a visit to the dentist, 24 points in the entire second part. Hezonja appeared with his infinite class, impossible actions. And in the finish line only Chris Jones was capable of creating something. The point guard scored on two consecutive possessions, but on the third, he fell short and local hopes died there. Because Campazzo did not fail in the other ring, another notch in the revolver of a completely differential player.