Dubai Basketball begin their second EuroLeague campaign on Thursday evening with a home fixture against 11-time European champions Real Madrid, marking the competitive debut of new head coach Xavi Pascual. The 54-year-old Spaniard, who won 19 trophies during his first spell at Barcelona including the 2010 EuroLeague title, takes charge of a Dubai side looking to build on a debut season that ended with an 11th-place finish.
The clash carries an edge of revenge: just five days earlier, Real Madrid edged Dubai 98-95 in overtime in the SuperCup semi-final, overturning a deficit after Dubai had led by as many as 16 points. Pascual has since stressed the need for sharper focus in high-stakes moments.
"Against Madrid, you cannot lose concentration even for one second, because they punish you," Pascual said ahead of the rematch. Guard McKinley Wright IV, who was named the EuroLeague's Player of the Month in February, is expected to be central to Dubai's push for a stronger season.
Thursday's game opens a campaign in which Dubai Basketball hope Pascual's European pedigree can translate the squad's potential into consistent results on the continent's premier club stage.