By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid had major ups and downs throughout the season but despite that, Pablo Laso and his players have never stopped believing in themselves and their chances to win the 2021-22 Euroleague championship title.
“I understand that a month ago you thought that we were not candidates. We have never stopped believing that we were candidates to win the Euroleague. We got through to the playoffs very quickly, we have had a very complicated schedule – not just us, all the teams – at the best moment of the season we stopped for ten or fifteen days with the history of COVID, all the teams have had to adapt… So I didn’t have the feeling a month ago that we were in such a bad way. What happens is that when you lose, the press, fans and everyone thinks you’re wrong. I don’t,” Laso said in the press conference prior to departure for Serbia.
Madrid’s opponent in the semifinals will be their rival Barcelona whom they’ve faced many times this season already but Laso stressed that the past results don’t matter – it’s the Final Four and it is a new, completely different game. The hunger is always there.
“In a Final Four, if you’re not hungry… What does it matter what’s happened before? You are in the Final Four. It’s a different match. You must have that competitive hunger regardless of who the rival is. The team must always play and be competitive, not depending on the rival.”
It’s hard to stop Barca but coach Laso knows what must be done.
“Against Barcelona, we have been introducing defensive variations. For me, it is a great team. They have a point guard, like Calathes, who controls the game a lot and generates a lot. In some way, we must influence that and try to lower their versatile scoring, being a team that has a lot of points across the roster.”
Experience will be important in that goal but the coach is also happy that he’s got some first-timers to the Final Four, noting that the mixture is important.
“I always say that it is very important, but the ability is also important. Experience doesn’t make you win or play better. I transmit to you that I am calm because I see the team well, which is what matters most to me. Do I have experienced players? Sergio (Llull), Rudy (Fernandez)… I also have others who are going to play in their first Final Four. With that, the team is made up of a mixture of the experience of some, in which I include myself, and the inexperience but great enthusiasm to play a Final Four. In the end, both things are important. I wouldn’t like it if we weren’t at our best level due to excessive enthusiasm or if we thought that we were experts and that we were going to be super good. You have to make a joint effort.”