Pedro Martínez: “We are expecting a very tough game against Efes”

Pedro Martínez and Maledon spoke ahead of the game against Anadolu Efes, corresponding to the second round of the EuroLeague (Tuesday, 7:00 pm CEST; Movistar+ Baloncesto). Real Madrid's coach said after the last training session before traveling to Turkey: “We are expecting a very tough game. Efes is a team with a lot of talent; they play very fast basketball and have players with excellent one-on-one skills.”

“They also have good outside shooting. Defensively, they are big and athletic, with many options, including centers who play outside and others who are more interior-focused but are excellent role players. It’s a very tough game, but every game in the EuroLeague is.”

Maledon: “We will have to control their offensive power”
“Yesterday’s victory helps us bounce back for this tough week ahead. It was very important to set the pace to face what’s coming. Also, being the first home game of the season, it was crucial to start on the right foot in front of our fans. I think the game demonstrated that. We have to improve, and there are many things to work on, but we are on the right path and must use this momentum for the week.”

Feelings after the Unicaja game
“Personally, I feel like I’m adapting more. I’m starting to better understand the system and finding ways to impact the game on both ends of the court—not just offensively but also fulfilling defensive requirements. For me, this is a learning experience to keep moving forward with confidence. Obviously, the season is long, but the important thing is to remain consistent with it.”

Double away fixtures
“The only thing that matters is getting the win when you play for Real Madrid. Yes, these are going to be two very tough challenges in this EuroLeague double-round week, and both games are away. Securing those two away victories would be great to recover from the defeat in Dubai.”

Match against Anadolu Efes
“Without a doubt, it’s a tough game. They also lost their first game of the season away, so now they’ll be playing on their home court. Obviously, you always want to put on a good performance in front of your fans, so I definitely expect a challenging match. They have great offensive power that we will have to control. On our side, it’s about continuing to build and improve.”

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