Scariolo: "Real Madrid Always Competes"

Sergio Scariolo addressed the media and analyzed the EuroLeague semifinal against Valencia Basket, which will take place this Friday at the Telekom Center in Athens (8:00 pm CEST; Movistar Plus+): "Real Madrid is always Real Madrid. They may have limitations, they may be in a great moment or in a lesser moment, but when it comes to competing, Real Madrid always competes, and this team always competes. After Edy’s (Tavares) injury, we played with Alex (Len), who had played a fantastic role, especially defensively. We had found balance again, obviously at a slightly lower level, but we had found it. Alex’s injury has forced us into a radical change in everything, and we are still working on it."

"We still have work to do, but we are very excited. We must not only be proud of what we have achieved but also motivated and excited to perform well in this competition, which essentially represents the excellence of European club basketball."

Is having players with a lot of experience in these types of tournaments an advantage?
"It’s obviously a great privilege if we know how to bring that experience onto the court, keeping nerves under control, making good decisions, being able to help, and giving good advice to those with less experience... But I’ve also seen people with a lot of experience who, in the moment of truth, weren’t as decisive or clear-headed as expected."

Garuba
"There are very few players with the ability to compete when they are in maximum concentration mode and full of energy like Usman. He’s not physically at one hundred percent, although mentally I see him well. He has grown a lot this year. He has a greater responsibility to do what he knows how to do for a longer period, knowing that we don’t have much of a plan B behind him. This time, he is the plan A without a safety net."

What virtues does your team have to be optimistic in the Final Four?
"The great work throughout the year is not lost. On the court, we have a completely different situation, but off it, in the locker room, in cohesion, understanding of roles... all of this we’ve built over months, starting with an initial difficulty. A very evident and progressive growth. These are qualities we will maintain, and I would be surprised if they are not reflected on the court: generosity, competitiveness, the ability not to give up, or the capacity to make the extra effort when a teammate needs help."

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