By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
After losing the Supercopa final to Unicaja Malaga, Real Madrid, which missed Mario Hezonja due to illness in the game, opened the door for another signing.
Usman Garuba returned to action earlier than anticipated and played for 15 minutes, after playing just four seconds in the semifinal against Barcelona, and coach Chus Mateo openly said that another player may be added to the roster.
“The physical level and demand are so brutal that I need more players for a 90-match season”, he said in the press conference after being asked on the matter with his team having currently a 13-player roster after losing Guershon Yabusele who moved to the Sixers.
“We have to monitor how the team is improving and see what we need. We don’t have it clear yet, our concern is to know where we need to improve and where we need to bring someone in. It will probably be like that during the year, there is no rush, but it is obvious in 90 games for two highly demanding competitions is important to have a large squad.”
Speaking about the game, Mateo added: “Unicaja has done well, it is a team that has been working together for a long time, that has come a long way, knows how to play as a unit, and has a lot of strength. Today they played better than us, we have to find our rhythm and the way to play. We have not been able to win a final but I am proud of the boys for the way they fought and got back into the game. We have played many finals and whenever you are in a final you have the chance to win a title, that is what we have to keep doing. We have time until the next competition and I hope we arrive better. Congratulations to Unicaja and keep working.”
Photo credit: ACB