Real Madrid welcomes EA7 Emporio Armani to Spain for a Group C clash in the Euroleague tonight.
This encounter offers some intriguing subplots - head coach Sergio Scariolo and forward Antonis Fotsis return to Madrid to face their former team, while both clubs are unbeaten and they really want top spot.
Milano is fully reloaded in all positions while Madrid kept the core of players that led the team to reach the Final Four last season. Both teams registered impressive wins in high-scoring games last time out, which adds more anticipation to this showdown.
Expect an up-tempo game that will be fun to watch as both teams deploy their many offensive weapons.
Real Madrid will be without Novica Velickovic, for six weeks after picking up a leg injury, while Emporio are at full strength with no injury problems to report.
Felipe Reyes is set to see more playing time while Velickovic is sidelined, adding his mid-range jumpers and rebounds at power forward. He will join forces with Ante Tomic and Mirza Begic to battle against three good rebounders in Fotsis, Ioannis Bourousis and Mason Rocca.
Omar Cook needs to make the most out of his experience and passing skills against Madrid's point guard duo of Sergio Llull and Sergio Rodriguez, while Madrid need to stop Danilo Gallinari and Malik Hairston from causing major problems.
Rudy Fernandez is playing well following his return to the Euroleague, while Carlos Suarez and Marty Pocius will play a critical role for the hosts in defence.
