Real Madrid face Monaco at Pontevedra’s Pabellón Municipal de Deportes this evening as part of the Torneo EncestaRías. Chus Mateo’s men continue with their pre-season campaign with what is sure to be another big test as they prepare for the Endesa Super Cup semifinals against Barcelona.

Dream Game. That’s how the clash between two of Europe’s best outfits is being billed. A top-class encounter between the reigning champions of Spain and France. Following Saturday’s win in their first pre-season match against Benfica in Badajoz , Real Madrid face the second of three friendlies before the new campaign officially begins on Saturday 21. Monaco, who have been mixing it with the EuroLeague’s big boys for years now, are led by Mike James and have strengthened with names like Calathes, Papagiannis or the NBA’s Korkmaz.

The aim of the game is preparation here, as the team looks to take on a style and get up to speed. Chus Mateo will have Tavares, Musa and Hezonja available. Three key men who weren’t present for the first clash, having travelled to Zagreb for Petrovic’s testimonial. The madridista coach will once again give minutes to new faces, who continue to settle in. Although they haven’t wasted any time if the Benfica match is anything to go by, when Ibaka (18 points and 26 PIR) and Rathan-Mayes (12 and 16) were top performers. Others, like Ndiaye and Hugo González also showed they will be key members of the squad this season, which will once again extend beyond 80 games.

Following this clash, Real Madrid have one more prior to their Super Cup game in Murcia, for the first Clásico of the season (6:30pm CEST). Chus Mateo’s men will face Varese this Saturday in Menorca as part of the Torneo Ciudad de Mahón.

Chus Mateo: “This is an important game for our preparations”

“Real Madrid-Monaco will be a big game in the EuroLeague,” underlined the coach.

Chus Mateo talked to the club’s official media channels to discuss the second pre-season game between Real Madrid and Monaco (Wednesday, 8pm; Realmadrid TV): “It’s an attractive match-up for those who want to watch Real Madrid and Monaco. It’ll be an important game in the Euroleague this year.”

“It’s a clash that will help us to continue improving and maintain our ambitions to do good things. If we continue to train well, we’ll soon be playing well. I’m happy that people understand we have to take it one day at a time and not go crazy about winning or losing.”

Good management
“This match is important for our preparations. We’re moving in the right direction, but we still need to get up to speed. I’m happy with the work the players have done. In both matches and in training, we must continue to make progress”.

New faces
“Andrés Feliz, Ibaka and Rathan-Mayes have all settled in really well. They’re clear about what we expect of them and what this club demands. We’ll be without Llull for this game due to some EuroLeague commitments, and Garuba is still recovering from injury.”