Scariolo: "We go into the Super Cup motivated and full of energy"

Sergio Scariolo appeared before the media after Real Madrid's last training session prior to the trip to Málaga for the Supercopa. The coach spoke about the semi-final match against La Laguna Tenerife (Saturday, 9:00 pm CEST): "The team is looking forward to competing. It's an official competition and we're going to face it with all the necessary motivation and energy, although every coach would have liked to have had two more weeks of training."

"We're playing against a very good, experienced and organised team, with scoring talent and intelligence both on the court and on the bench. We're in the process of getting ourselves together with new players coming in and injuries, but we have to make up for it with energy, determination, competitiveness and the will to win."

"I look forward to starting and competing in every game, but I also know the moments when the team has to be close to 100 per cent. The fact that we're not at our perfect fitness yet is not an excuse not to compete at all levels."

Call-up
"Those who have been injured are there to play, but not at 100 per cent. I have to choose according to roles, positions and opponents. Decisions are made when they have to be made, which is tomorrow in training. I can't make the decision for the players who have been out or injured because otherwise we won't make 12."

Role of Tavares
"When I arrived, I asked the players if they wanted to improve; they had to be willing to get out of their comfort zone. I have had an extraordinary response from everyone. The ultimate goal is the performance of the team. In last year's playoffs, I was delighted to see how Tavares was able to defend players with the speed of Badio, for example. He is capable of doing other things that he has already done well, but without neglecting his main mission, which is to close the rim."

Back to Malaga
"My concentration is focused on tomorrow's game. It would be foolish to think about the final. We'll try to beat Tenerife, who are a great team, and then we'll think about it. We are one hundred per cent just thinking about the first game."

Calendar
"We have a baptism of fire with four or five games in eight days. Whether I like it or not, it's not going to change. I'm losing energy. Everyone is worried, and the risk of injury is obvious. You train less, and that penalises the quality of the game. The calendar is what it is, and we have to be good at moving in this calendar to be able to win the games, but reset for the next one."