Laso: “The game against Río Breogán is a final”
“All the players know their roles very well and that makes them dangerous', added the coach.
Pablo Laso assessed the upcoming clash with Río Breogán in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, set to be played in Granada on Thursday 9:30pm CET: “Tomorrow is a final. I'm concerned about the team's energy levels, physically and mentally. It's the first year we come into it in this situation because we're on such a relentless schedule of travelling and playing matches. We don't forget these issues and I know I'm asking the players for immense effort every 48 hours'.
“Every Breogán player knows their role very well and that makes them dangerous. Rasid Mahalbasic does a great job on the inside along with Lukovic, Cruz and Sakho, who bring real energy. Musa and Bell-Haynes ensure strong play in open court and Kalinoski is a guy nobody talks about much but he's very important to them. Musa is fantastic but I can't say that if we restrict him to zero points we'll win the game, or if he posts 50 that we'll lose it'.
Rudy, Taylor and Deck
'If you were to ask them, all three would say they want to play but I have other players struggling with knocks too. Abalde has a back issue, with Hanga it's his hip, Llull... Given the situation, we can't afford to take risks. Right now I can count on everyone, we'll see tomorrow'.
“Every Breogán player knows their role very well and that makes them dangerous. Rasid Mahalbasic does a great job on the inside along with Lukovic, Cruz and Sakho, who bring real energy. Musa and Bell-Haynes ensure strong play in open court and Kalinoski is a guy nobody talks about much but he's very important to them. Musa is fantastic but I can't say that if we restrict him to zero points we'll win the game, or if he posts 50 that we'll lose it'.
Rudy, Taylor and Deck
'If you were to ask them, all three would say they want to play but I have other players struggling with knocks too. Abalde has a back issue, with Hanga it's his hip, Llull... Given the situation, we can't afford to take risks. Right now I can count on everyone, we'll see tomorrow'.
Alocén's injury
“Everything happened very quickly and I always say Madrid have to be present in the market. Carlos has been very unfortunate this season but I don't think we need to sign. I have faith in the efforts of this team'.
The squad
“There are certain rules which must be complied with. We have to play with four home-grown guys and two foreign players. We'll keep an eye on our options. All I'm focused on is tomorrow's game and it would be absurd to protect a player when we wouldn't play on Saturday anyway if we get knocked out'.
“Everything happened very quickly and I always say Madrid have to be present in the market. Carlos has been very unfortunate this season but I don't think we need to sign. I have faith in the efforts of this team'.
The squad
“There are certain rules which must be complied with. We have to play with four home-grown guys and two foreign players. We'll keep an eye on our options. All I'm focused on is tomorrow's game and it would be absurd to protect a player when we wouldn't play on Saturday anyway if we get knocked out'.