By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid is facing its fourth Final Four in the last five years. With Valencia Basket as their opponent in the Athens semifinals, Sergio Scariolo reviewed the team’s season and what it will take to win the EuroLeague title.
“Real Madrid is always Real Madrid. They may have limitations, they may be in great form or in a lesser period, but when it comes to competing, Real Madrid always competes, and this team always competes. After Edy (Tavares)’s injury, we played with Alex (Len), who had performed fantastically, especially defensively. We had found a balance again, obviously at a slightly lower level, but we had found it. Alex’s injury has forced us to make a radical change in everything, and we’re still working on it”, the coach said.
Experience is important in these scenarios, and Sergio Scariolo has spoken about it. “Obviously, it’s a great privilege if we can transfer this experience to the court, keeping our nerves under control, making good decisions, being able to help, to give good advice to those with less experience… But I’ve seen people with a lot of experience who then, when it really matters, haven’t been as decisive and as clear-sighted as expected”, Scariolo added.
Without Tavares or Len, the Italian coach has pointed out what makes this Real Madrid strong. “The hard work we’ve put in throughout the year hasn’t been lost. On the court, we have a completely different situation, but off the court, in the locker room, cohesion, understanding of roles… we’ve built all of this over months, despite initial difficulties. It’s been very evident and very progressive growth. These are qualities we’ll maintain, and I’d be surprised if they weren’t reflected on the court: generosity, competitiveness, the ability to never give up, and the capacity to make that extra effort when a teammate needs help”, the Italian coach said to the media.
Garuba will be the key player in the attacking zone, and Scariolo praised the Real Madrid youth product.
“There are few players with the ability to compete when they’re at peak concentration and full of energy like Usman. He’s not at 100 percent physically, although mentally he seems fine. He’s grown a lot this year. He has greater responsibility: to do what he knows how to do for a longer period of time, given that we don’t have much of a backup plan. This time it’s plan A, and we’re playing without a safety net”, Scariolo concluded.