By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Barcelona began training a month ago and now Georgios Bartzokas’ team is about to face its first major challenge. Barcelona takes over Real Madrid in an early season clasico tonight.
“We have several new players, me and everyone else is trying to adjust to the new philosophy and we have to compete against a very strong team, “said the Greek coach, and added “even with Rodriguez’s absence, they have great players. I expect a tough and hard match.”
Barcelona will compete without Shane Lawal due to his long-term injury and of course Petteri Koponen, who was discharged from hospital yesterday.
“Koponen is a lot better, he came to see us in training and I hope that every day he will get better” said Bartzokas who think that the clash comes too early for both teams. “It is too soon for both. No one is ready now, nobody is in good shape and we need time, but we must go out and compete.”
Pau Ribas also knows that the game will not be easy: “At this stage of the season it is difficult to play the best basketball possible, but there will be competitive from the start and to the end.”