Pedro Martínez: “It’s an important game against an opponent in excellent form”

Pedro Martínez and Jaime Pradilla spoke ahead of the Real Madrid-Partizan game, corresponding to the fourth round of the EuroLeague, which will take place at the Movistar Arena (Thursday, 8:45 pm CEST; Movistar Plus+). The coach said: “We approach the game with enthusiasm and excitement, but also with a lot of responsibility and the goal of improvement. We need to enhance several aspects, such as consistency during the game. We know it's an important match against a great opponent who is in excellent form. It will be tough and challenging, but we are eager to take it forward.”

“In our last game, which we won in Santiago, we had very good moments, but also others that were not as strong. We would like to be a bit more consistent during the good moments.”

Pressure
“We need to stay focused on the game and not dwell on what came before. Obviously, we would like to be in a better position in the standings, but when it comes to playing the game, it doesn’t matter much where we come from. We have to play with the present in mind, doing the things within our control as best as possible, knowing there will be good and bad moments, and staying concentrated.”

"They are a very physical team, tremendously aggressive, and we need to respond well to their defense. It’s another opportunity for us, playing at home in front of our fans. We have the support of our fans and the excitement to win, but they will also have the same excitement and effort."

Team Status
“The players are training every day with enthusiasm, putting in a lot of effort on a daily basis. We haven’t achieved the results we would like, especially in the EuroLeague. This creates a bit more unease. But I am liking the team’s mentality. I don’t see them particularly nervous. They are trying to defend better. We are still at the beginning of the season, and the results cannot dictate everything. We need to have the ability to self-critique and the drive to improve.”

Adaptation and Tactical Changes
“As a coach, I have the responsibility to seek the best possible collective performance, and for that, I need to think about what we can do differently or what adjustments we can make. What I haven’t done, and I hope not to do, is a radical change in our overall approach, but I do have the responsibility to adapt to the team I have."

The Importance of Home Games
“We know that at home we have the support of our fans, which is very important, but we prepare the same way whether we play at home or away. We want to stay focused on the day-to-day, doing things as best as we can, staying concentrated, and overcoming adversities. We also need to capitalize on the moments when we find talent and opportunities, thanks to the quality of the players, to push forward.”

Deck
“He had an injury. He definitely won’t play this week. We are awaiting tests to determine the exact extent and how long he will be out. It’s the left shoulder. It doesn’t seem to be something serious, but I don’t want to get ahead of the situation."

Motivation
“They are motivated, aware, and taking responsibility. I’m not worried about that. What I hope is that we can execute the things we’ve been training with conviction. It’s not about finding a magic phrase to make them more motivated. I see them doing well; they are putting in effort every day.”

Pradilla: "We need to have a strong mentality for all 40 minutes"
“We approach this game eager to make a statement, eager to start well at home in our first EuroLeague game, and hopefully, we can secure the win. It’s going to be a tough game against a dynamic team that also plays a lot of transitions. We need to have a strong mentality for all 40 minutes."

“We’re excited to play in front of our fans. We already experienced it in the ACB League, and I was able to make my debut. Now, we are very eager to play in the EuroLeague. On a personal level, they’ve made it very easy for me. My teammates welcomed me warmly from the very beginning, and I’m very happy. I’m very happy to be in the best club in the world and to continue improving day by day.”

 

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.