Real Madrid

Pablo Laso has reason to believe that his team is prepared as it faces the first official title of the year. You need only look to their pre-season winning streak, although the significance of this preparation period is open to interpretation. “The team is in good form going into the Super Cup. It's an attractive tournament and we all want to win it, although it's come a little soon for all the teams”. Furthermore, he explained that they'll face a tough rival in the semifinals. He stated that CAI “plays at home and has formed a good team”.

The Real Madrid coach shared his perception of the team as they go into the Super Cup: “In the pre-season scores are often not very indicative. If there's one thing I try to get across from the first day it's that the team needs to be competitive. I always argue that you improve more by winning than losing. We've had some very good moments in the pre-season and others not so good. I have players like Begic, who injured his ankle, Carroll arrived late and the players on national teams joined us afterwards... But I think that the team is in good form going into the Super Cup, albeit with the typical problems that usually occur in the pre-season”.

Despite the fact that it's a very early competition, Laso is determined to win the title: “It's an attractive tournament. We go up against CAI the first day they play at home and they have formed a good team. It's come a little soon for all the teams, but we all want to win”.

The Whites' coach is not concerned about Real Madrid being picked as favourites due to their pre-season performance because it's a club in which “the demands are always high. They were high last year and I don't think this year is any different. Personally, I don't feel it and my players don't either. Playing for Real Madrid, you play to win each title. It's something we have to understand and accept”.

Laso went on to say that he doesn't think this pressure is different this season: “I don't think that this will change because it's the second year. In that respect the team must go on improving. We have a team of young players who are becoming stronger and have been together for some time. Then we have other talented players that have arrived to help us.”

The Real Madrid coach analysed the new players and what they might contribute to his team: “Rudy is an all-round player who does many things on the court. He can defend from different positions, he can shoot and he can pass. Rudy contributes to play in many ways, not only with his shooting. Slaughter is a type of player that Madrid needed. He offers a lot of energy on the paint, he can run the court, block, he's very athletic. Draper controls the pace of the game well, he's good at spotting opportunities and he's a good passer. In addition, he's arrived to strengthen a position that I have well covered but that in a long season and with versatile players will be important”. Lastly, Laso added that “my team has to grow around the group that remains from last year”.