Olympiacos-Alba: Red and white reaction and an opportunity to climb!

With the aim of returning to victory, o Olympic welcomes her Alba Berlin (21:15, Novasports, bwinSPORT FM, www.sportfm.gr) at SEF for its 24th matchday Euroleague. It is the first match between the two teams in the Devil’s Week, with Piraeus playing Bayern in Munich on Thursday and Israel Gonzalez’s side welcoming Valencia on the same day.

The Reds are looking to bounce back in a treacherous game as the Germans may be bottom of the table but have done damage to the likes of Barcelona and Red Star. They come from the victory over PAOK in the championship, where they played underdogs, while earlier in Euroleague they went on to make a huge comeback but were beaten in Madrid by Real. However, the fact that Maccabi Tel Aviv and Monaco have difficult games this turn may give the hosts a chance to climb up the standings.

“We have the utmost respect for Alba, her coach and her program. He always plays at the same pace, especially at home, he was always a difficult opponent for Olympiacos, since last year we won more easily at their home. We’ve already lost once when I first came. He has a certain game based on high tempo, how they execute offensively and defensively. You have to be very focused with them, control the rebounds and take care of the possessions, because if you make bad choices he will run in transition.”reported about the match with Alba o George Bartzokas.

The Greek technician has to face important absences again, since the twin towers are out, Mustafa Fal and Nikola Milutinovwhile his participation is extremely doubtful Philip Petrushev. On the positive side, how are they returning Nigel Williams-Goss and Giannoulis Larentzakiswhile the new transfer acquisition, o Moses Wrightwho had his first training session with his new team on Monday.

“The positive thing is that he is in good playing condition. Comes with toys. In the individual training he did yesterday he showed in good condition, but obviously it has to do with his adaptation to offensive and defensive plays. We are giving him some quick video lessons, hopefully his adjustment will be the right one to play as much as possible in a game like this. Surely every day that passes will be in favor of course”Bartzokas emphasized for Wright, who together with him Luke Sikma will be the two “5s” of Piraeus in the match, as long as Petrusev does not manage to compete.

In the 12-11 the record of the “red and whites”, who are invited to take advantage of their home ground (8-4) and get the fourth consecutive pink card. Meanwhile, Alba Berlin have just one away win (1-10), which came in France against Villeurbanne on January 12. In the first round match in Berlin, Olympiacos blew away Berlin, winning 94-67.

THE Alba for its part, it prevailed 89-80 against Red Star last season, but a few days ago it was defeated away from home for the German championship by Würzburg and is in 5th place, having of course also three games less that can elevate it to the top three. They’re an unpredictable, up-tempo-driven group, while they’re among the best teams in offensive rebounding (11.4 ppg) and steals (7.1 ppg).

THE Johannes Tiemannwho is a point of reference for Alba, will be absent due to injury, while attention is also needed Sterling Brown. His absence is crucial Luis Olindewith the German forward ill and fatally sidelined, as is Ziga Samar through injury.

Emilio Perez (Spain), Jakub Zamoiski (Poland) and Uros Obrknezevic (Serbia) were appointed to manage the game for the 24th matchday.