Laso: 'El Clásico is one that everyone gets up for'
'I'd like to see a great atmosphere at the arena because we're top and are going to try and stay there', added the coach.
Pablo Laso spoke to the press in the build-up to Real Madrid’s EuroLeague Round 26 El Clásico match-up at the WiZink Center Friday, 8:45pm CET and previewed the game in the following terms: “El Clásico is El Clásico and it’s one that everyone gets up for. The players are aware that it's a difficult and important game against great opponents and they also know what it means to finish first or second”.
“You have to get a lot of things right if you're to beat the big team, regardless of whether it’s Barcelona or any other top team. It’s important that a coach conveys the things that the team is doing well and where it is not performing. We're sitting top of the EuroLeague and are going to try and stay there. We welcome back Heurtel and Hanga for tomorrow's game, although we're having to wrap them in cotton wool”.
“You have to get a lot of things right if you're to beat the big team, regardless of whether it’s Barcelona or any other top team. It’s important that a coach conveys the things that the team is doing well and where it is not performing. We're sitting top of the EuroLeague and are going to try and stay there. We welcome back Heurtel and Hanga for tomorrow's game, although we're having to wrap them in cotton wool”.
Importance of the fans
“I'd like to see a great atmosphere at the arena. They're very attractive opponents and the team is competing really well at home. Indeed, we're unbeaten at home in the EuroLeague. It's important that we engage the fans and that the fans engage with us”.
Demanding schedule
“We looked at things at Christmas and saw that we faced a pretty tough and demanding schedule ahead of the Copa del Rey. We were aware of it and we've also faced situations that haven't helped us out, such as the injuries. We have lacked that consistency. Other teams have had longer to recover, although all of the teams will face strange situations in terms of the schedule. We have to get back to situations that enable us to display solidity in our play”.
“I'd like to see a great atmosphere at the arena. They're very attractive opponents and the team is competing really well at home. Indeed, we're unbeaten at home in the EuroLeague. It's important that we engage the fans and that the fans engage with us”.
Demanding schedule
“We looked at things at Christmas and saw that we faced a pretty tough and demanding schedule ahead of the Copa del Rey. We were aware of it and we've also faced situations that haven't helped us out, such as the injuries. We have lacked that consistency. Other teams have had longer to recover, although all of the teams will face strange situations in terms of the schedule. We have to get back to situations that enable us to display solidity in our play”.