Laso: “Our aim is to clinch homecourt advantage in the playoff'
'We're in for a tough game in Kaunas and we'll have to be focused from the first minute', explained Deck.
Pablo Laso and Gabriel Deck assessed Real Madrid's match at Zalgiris on Thursday on Euroleague matchday 27 7:00pm CET. In the build-up, the coach reflected: “The team is in good shape. Physically, we've got Causeur injured, as well as Alocén who will be out for a while. Alocén will take longer but we hope Causeur's will just be two or three weeks. The good news is Hanga, who is now back training with the team. It was pretty dramatic but it didn't end up being too serious. We'll travel with the 13 players we have available and Rudy is the only one out as he's been unable to train”
“The guys have to recover from the real physical exertion of last weekend and remember this is a tough Euroleague clash. Playing in Kaunas is always difficult, there's a great atmosphere at their court and they are a good side who play some good basketball. They really struggled with injuries at the start of the season but I think they've found a good rhythm again and they're looking really competitive. It's a very hard game for us, it'll be demanding and we'll have to be ready from the first minute'.
Playing away from home
“Every game is difficult because you're playing against the best teams in Europe. The level is very high and Zalgiris have won away to some very good teams. We know we're going to have to give a lot of ourselves if we want to come through this one'.
“The guys have to recover from the real physical exertion of last weekend and remember this is a tough Euroleague clash. Playing in Kaunas is always difficult, there's a great atmosphere at their court and they are a good side who play some good basketball. They really struggled with injuries at the start of the season but I think they've found a good rhythm again and they're looking really competitive. It's a very hard game for us, it'll be demanding and we'll have to be ready from the first minute'.
Playing away from home
“Every game is difficult because you're playing against the best teams in Europe. The level is very high and Zalgiris have won away to some very good teams. We know we're going to have to give a lot of ourselves if we want to come through this one'.
Crunch time in the Euroleague
“It's important to us from the off and I try and get that across to the players. The thing is, as is always the case in a Regular Season, as we come towards the end the positions get decided. But you don't know how that'll look on day one. We're in a good position. We've close to securing a playoff place. We're still not mathematically certain of it and we're aiming to take one of the top four spots which give you homecourt advantage in the playoff. That's our primary goal at the moment and it's what we have to focus on ahead of the game against Zalgiris”.
Deck: 'We have to match their aggression'
“We're in for a tough game and we'll have to be focused from the first minute until the last. Zalgiris are a difficult team, especially at home, where they're very strong and very aggressive. Their fans really get behind the team so we'll have to come out and show our hunger from the off. We have to match their aggression, be solid in defense and make sure we find the right options in offense'.
“It's important to us from the off and I try and get that across to the players. The thing is, as is always the case in a Regular Season, as we come towards the end the positions get decided. But you don't know how that'll look on day one. We're in a good position. We've close to securing a playoff place. We're still not mathematically certain of it and we're aiming to take one of the top four spots which give you homecourt advantage in the playoff. That's our primary goal at the moment and it's what we have to focus on ahead of the game against Zalgiris”.
Deck: 'We have to match their aggression'
“We're in for a tough game and we'll have to be focused from the first minute until the last. Zalgiris are a difficult team, especially at home, where they're very strong and very aggressive. Their fans really get behind the team so we'll have to come out and show our hunger from the off. We have to match their aggression, be solid in defense and make sure we find the right options in offense'.