Real Madrid

Pablo Laso is in his second season as head coach of Real Madrid and has already left a mark that fans can clearly identify. The Whites’ coach prefers to speak about the involvement and hard work of all of his players: "I don’t really like hearing about “Laso style” because it makes it sound like I have invented something. I have great players, players that are very capable of playing at a high intensity and a fast pace at which things can be achieved in a short space of time on the court". The Real Madrid coach has shaped a very competitive squad for what will be a long season: "We have thought about it and worked hard in summer to build a team with strength in depth that everyone knows will be important".

Laso is happy about the recently won title in Zaragoza, but mostly because the pre-season hard work has been rewarded: "I am delighted and the first thing that I told them is to enjoy it. It is a title that we have worked hard for a month to win. We have new players, players who are contributing a lot to the group". However, the title is now in the past and a very long season in which we have to be at our best is about to begin: "That’s it. There is a lot of hard work ahead. The Euroleague is about to start, we’re going to the United States to play against two NBA teams and the Endesa League starts next week".

Real Madrid play their Endesa League opener this Sunday against one of their toughest rivals, Unicaja Málaga. "We have to start thinking about Unicaja, who have changed a lot. They have new players and a new coach. We have to be prepared because it is a big game", warned Pablo Laso talking about a very competitive Endesa League: "I’m sure that Real Madrid and Barcelona will be up there, but also Unicaja, Caja Laboral, Valencia and Bilbao are teams that are playing well and play better still when they play against the theoretical favourites. The good thing about this league is that every team prepares very well".

The Real Madrid coach reiterated that because of how tough the year will be his team will need to be at their best to achieve their goals: "We have a very difficult schedule, where there will be many weeks when we will have to play on Friday and on Sunday and we have thought about it and worked hard in the summer to build a team with strength in depth and which everyone knows will be important and will have its moments, because we need the team to be at a hundred percent all season".

Finally, Laso said that the merit for the way his team plays should got to everyone. "I don’t really like hearing about “Laso style” because it makes it sound like I have invented something. I have great players, players that are very capable of playing at a high intensity and a fast pace at which things can be achieved in a short space of time on the court. We have a physical team, attractive and we try to take advantage of this, also because we believe that is how these types of players play better. From there, what we want to underpin this year are the things that we have fought hard for and the arrival of the signings help a bit in that regard. We can attack quickly, with a high pace in possession and we don’t speculate much. Our players have that happy feeling and want to pass it on. We have a good squad and that we must continue to improve to be a better team" concluded the Real Madrid coach.