Laso: “The team looks good and I'm confident that we'll put in a great performance”
'We have to be solid in defence and rebounding against Olympiacos', explained Abalde ahead of the game.
Pablo Laso and Alberto Abalde gave their opinions on Real Madrid's EuroLeague round 24 clash with Olympiacos Wednesday, 8:45pm CET. Speaking ahead of the game, the coach said: 'I think the team looks good. When I say that I'm not saying that we'll be good or bad in this game. I'm relaxed. We are not perfect every day, but I'm confident that we'll put in a great performance. My aim as a coach is for the team to improve every day. I don't like the team to be judged on one match but on a trajectory that began in September'.
'Sometimes the team needs to rest and train to use the energy we need in the match. It's not easy with this schedule. We've just had a very demanding week and we're about to start new one that's just as demanding, if not more so. We have to keep a close eye on fitness and know and accept that we probably won't be able to play at 100% every day, either physically or mentally. It's my job to make sure we are focussed and ready to give our all. It's very important to have an idea of how you want to play during the season because that's what's going to keep you going in good times and bad'.
Squad
'Everyone has trained apart from Hanga, but we've seen in training that there are some players who may be doubtful for tomorrow. Hanga has a few days to go but it's nothing serious. He wants to play but we have to be careful that the injury doesn't get worse. It's just a matter of days and it would be silly to force him. Some other players have muscular problems but we'll decide tomorrow who'll play. Williams-Goss tested negative and trained normally and will be able to play'.
Vukčević's departure
'He needs playing time and I'm happy he's going to a team where he can show his quality. I can only say good things about him. He helped us a lot in the last two years and I'm very proud that everyone is asking about a player like Tristan. It means we did our job very well. He's a great player, he's going to develop a lot, he's going with one of the best coaches in Europe and it's a win-win for everyone and I wish him the best of luck, which will be ours, for the future'.
'Sometimes the team needs to rest and train to use the energy we need in the match. It's not easy with this schedule. We've just had a very demanding week and we're about to start new one that's just as demanding, if not more so. We have to keep a close eye on fitness and know and accept that we probably won't be able to play at 100% every day, either physically or mentally. It's my job to make sure we are focussed and ready to give our all. It's very important to have an idea of how you want to play during the season because that's what's going to keep you going in good times and bad'.
Squad
'Everyone has trained apart from Hanga, but we've seen in training that there are some players who may be doubtful for tomorrow. Hanga has a few days to go but it's nothing serious. He wants to play but we have to be careful that the injury doesn't get worse. It's just a matter of days and it would be silly to force him. Some other players have muscular problems but we'll decide tomorrow who'll play. Williams-Goss tested negative and trained normally and will be able to play'.
Vukčević's departure
'He needs playing time and I'm happy he's going to a team where he can show his quality. I can only say good things about him. He helped us a lot in the last two years and I'm very proud that everyone is asking about a player like Tristan. It means we did our job very well. He's a great player, he's going to develop a lot, he's going with one of the best coaches in Europe and it's a win-win for everyone and I wish him the best of luck, which will be ours, for the future'.
Team management and Deck fitting in
'It's always difficult to manage players. In the end 12 get changed and there are 5 on the court. For me, this management is mandatory. It's another part of the coach's job and I've got to manage it for the good of the team and to be as ready as possible. I want everyone to be ready to give their best. As for Deck, I mentioned that he would quickly join the team. It's as if we've got a player back from injury. He's in good shape. I think he needs some minutes got get back in to the swing rhythm, to see what the team wants from him. I'm very calm in that regard'.
Olympiacos
'They've got together a very good team. Sloukas, who is a reference and always plays from the bench, they needed two players in the 1 and 2 positions that could be combined. Walkup and Dorsey, with Sloukas. With the help of Larenzakis, they've managed to seal the point guard and shooting guard situation. They have two very clear types of profiles at the 3 in Papanikolau and McKissic, and in the inside rotation they have two pure 5's in Fall and Martin, and at the 4 they have two bench players in Vezenkov and Printezis. It is well put together'.
'They were very good at the start of the Euroleague, playing at a good level, and are now struggling a bit with the rigours of the competition due to injuries and absences due to COVID-19. I don't look too much at the results, I always expect the Olympiacos to be at their best. I have a lot of respect for Olympiacos, not only this season, but in previous seasons too'.
Abalde: 'Olympiacos is a very complete team'
'Olympiacos is always Olympiacos, a very competitive and very tough opponent that will require us to be solid from the start if we want to get another win. They plays very good basketball, they're having a good season and have experienced, quality players, but they've also added new players who are providing a lot of freshness'.
'It's a very complete team with excellent players both in the leadership and in the five position, and they're complementing each other very well. We have to be solid in defence and rebounding and, from that point on, find our rhythm in attack, looking to get in to good shooting positions'.
'It's always difficult to manage players. In the end 12 get changed and there are 5 on the court. For me, this management is mandatory. It's another part of the coach's job and I've got to manage it for the good of the team and to be as ready as possible. I want everyone to be ready to give their best. As for Deck, I mentioned that he would quickly join the team. It's as if we've got a player back from injury. He's in good shape. I think he needs some minutes got get back in to the swing rhythm, to see what the team wants from him. I'm very calm in that regard'.
Olympiacos
'They've got together a very good team. Sloukas, who is a reference and always plays from the bench, they needed two players in the 1 and 2 positions that could be combined. Walkup and Dorsey, with Sloukas. With the help of Larenzakis, they've managed to seal the point guard and shooting guard situation. They have two very clear types of profiles at the 3 in Papanikolau and McKissic, and in the inside rotation they have two pure 5's in Fall and Martin, and at the 4 they have two bench players in Vezenkov and Printezis. It is well put together'.
'They were very good at the start of the Euroleague, playing at a good level, and are now struggling a bit with the rigours of the competition due to injuries and absences due to COVID-19. I don't look too much at the results, I always expect the Olympiacos to be at their best. I have a lot of respect for Olympiacos, not only this season, but in previous seasons too'.
Abalde: 'Olympiacos is a very complete team'
'Olympiacos is always Olympiacos, a very competitive and very tough opponent that will require us to be solid from the start if we want to get another win. They plays very good basketball, they're having a good season and have experienced, quality players, but they've also added new players who are providing a lot of freshness'.
'It's a very complete team with excellent players both in the leadership and in the five position, and they're complementing each other very well. We have to be solid in defence and rebounding and, from that point on, find our rhythm in attack, looking to get in to good shooting positions'.