With a lot of hanging and gagging, FC Bayern Munich also won their fourth home game in the EuroLeague against Zalgiris Kaunas. In the end, Gordon Herbert’s team lost control of the game, but in the end the result was once again in their favor.
FC Bayern against Kaunas: “A bit ugly”
“It was a bit ugly, but we fought our way through,” said Bayern coach Gordon Herbert. The Canadian addressed the obvious issues. In the second half, the Lithuanians repeatedly forced Bayern into playing in the half court, and the best offense in the EuroLeague slowed down and had to rely on individual actions in the end. Once again, it was Carsen Edwards who made his mark on Bayern’s offense in the fourth quarter.
His shot from the center line felt like a relief, but Kaunas just would not give in. In the final minute, it was Edwards again who made the important plays: a completed drive, a steal under the basket, a transition score and two free throws made the top scorer (24 points) the match winner again – the dynamism that Bayern urgently needed at the end.
The Bavarians now have six wins, whereas last year they needed four more games to reach that total. After the how, no one will ask any more questions anyway. “This game was a grind,” said Herbert, who also noted that good teams win games like this. That’s why the Canadian drew a positive conclusion in the end: “We’re still in a process, but the good thing is that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Kaunas newcomer Lonnie Walker IV disappointed
And Kaunas? There, former Bayern Munich coach Andrea Trinchieri criticized the weak first quarter (only seven points) and said that his team played “without any character” there. Coincidence that new signing Lonnie Walker IV (0 points, 0/8 FG) was on the court for most of it? Probably not, as the former Los Angeles Lakers guard was not used in the fourth quarter.
Nevertheless, it was clear to see why Zalgiris are still top of the EuroLeague despite an at best mediocre performance. This team bears Trinchieri’s signature: it is tenacious, tough and has an outstanding individual player in Francisco, who can explode at any time. Fortunately for Bayern, this explosion came too late this time, but together with FCBB and Paris, the Lithuanians are the surprise team of a very entertaining EuroLeague season so far.
