Laso: “We have to be ready to match their energy'
“We're going to turn this situation around as best as we know how, which is by giving our all in every game', said Rudy in the build-up to the clash with KK Crvena zvezda.
Pablo Laso and Rudy Fernández spoke about Real Madrid's postponed matchday 20 clash with KK Crvena zvezda in Belgrade Tuesday, 7:00pm CET. The coach reflected in the pre-match press conference: “They're a very aggressive team defensively, they put real pressure on the ball and they're physically imposing. In fact, against Baskonia they started lacking a bit of that defensive energy and Baskonia took the lead, but as they began to find it again, they asserted their dominance and ultimately won the game. It's something we have to be ready for, that energy they display on court, then we have to acknowledge their strengths'.
“Walters and Ivanovic are strong on the pick & roll and lead the team well, their rotations on the outside with Lazic, Dobric and especially Kalinic, who really makes them tick. On the inside, they start with Kuzmic, who is the most natural number 5, then they can switch it up with Mitrovic, White, etc… They're a team we'll have to respect from the off'.
Squad
“Alocén and Causeur are still out. Deck can't play in this game due to regulations and Taylor felt a twinge in his abductor muscle. It's something he's had for a while. He was alright and we're going to do a few tests but he's unlikely to travel. We're taking 12 players to Belgrade and we're back on with the demanding calendar we are know about. Taylor is touch and go”.
“Walters and Ivanovic are strong on the pick & roll and lead the team well, their rotations on the outside with Lazic, Dobric and especially Kalinic, who really makes them tick. On the inside, they start with Kuzmic, who is the most natural number 5, then they can switch it up with Mitrovic, White, etc… They're a team we'll have to respect from the off'.
Squad
“Alocén and Causeur are still out. Deck can't play in this game due to regulations and Taylor felt a twinge in his abductor muscle. It's something he's had for a while. He was alright and we're going to do a few tests but he's unlikely to travel. We're taking 12 players to Belgrade and we're back on with the demanding calendar we are know about. Taylor is touch and go”.
Rudy: “We're going to give it our all and we'll get back to winning ways”
“We have to get away from what's been happening in the recent defeat and go toe to toe with a team who will make life tough for us. Over such a long, hard season, these things happen in sport, you might have a dip in form both physically and mentally. That's more present in the defeats than the wins. A few months back we thought everything was going really well. The approach we have to take is to turn this around in the best way we can, which is by giving it our all in every game, working hard and I'm sure we'll get back to winning ways”.
KK Crvena zvezda game
“It's a really tough fixture there, with their fans who really get behind the team. They're playing at a very high level. Sunday's game was a real shock and we have to turn over a new leaf, this is a long-run thing. We're all aware we're not playing well, but watching how the game was, feeling the fans at the tough moments as well, the fact they're behind us, we have the duty to defend this jersey. This is a long season. We're second in the Euroleague. With the fans behind us and the team working hard, we have to get through this. We fully believe the team has the quality to turn it around'.
“We have to get away from what's been happening in the recent defeat and go toe to toe with a team who will make life tough for us. Over such a long, hard season, these things happen in sport, you might have a dip in form both physically and mentally. That's more present in the defeats than the wins. A few months back we thought everything was going really well. The approach we have to take is to turn this around in the best way we can, which is by giving it our all in every game, working hard and I'm sure we'll get back to winning ways”.
KK Crvena zvezda game
“It's a really tough fixture there, with their fans who really get behind the team. They're playing at a very high level. Sunday's game was a real shock and we have to turn over a new leaf, this is a long-run thing. We're all aware we're not playing well, but watching how the game was, feeling the fans at the tough moments as well, the fact they're behind us, we have the duty to defend this jersey. This is a long season. We're second in the Euroleague. With the fans behind us and the team working hard, we have to get through this. We fully believe the team has the quality to turn it around'.