Pablo Laso, coach ofl Real Madrid, has ensured that his team arrives “prepared for a demanding and short final” such as the one that will begin this Sunday at the WiZink Center against Barça, to the best of three games this season.
“It is a special season for many things. The team has competed at the highest level regardless of the circumstances we have suffered during the season. This playoff is being very demanding on a physical and motivational level due to the calendar, but I see the team well: it continues competing every day, “said the coach from Vitoria, for whom winning the league” would be a great climax to the season. “
LasoLike other occasions, he indicated that he “always” looks favorite, but that he does not believe himself superior and has a lot of respect for rivals. “The Barcelona He has a great team and has had a magnificent season. I don’t see myself as a victim or a favorite, but if I have to choose one of the two, I prefer a favorite, “he said.
The Madrid coach insisted that “you have to accept and recognize” that the Barcelona is “a great team and a very complete team”, so he indicated that they will have to “keep pace with the game, dominate the rebound and do a great defensive job”, as well as that they will have to “play very well to beat a team like Barcelona “.
Laso praised Pau Gasol: “He has been one of the best players in the history of Spanish basketball. He is a differential player and has entered very well in the Barcelona. He is an unbalancing player and I have a lot of respect for him as a player. It is important in Barcelona, as it has been in all the teams in which it has been “.
For the coach of Real Madrid both teams arrive “strong enough”. He does not believe that having had one more day of rest is decisive, although if you asked Barcelona they would also have liked to have one more day of rest. “
Regarding the physical state of his diminished squad, he explained that the Argentine Nicolas “Laprovittola has not trained with the team and Abalde recently discharged. Felipe Reyes keep going down and Nico in principle it will not be. Lesions of Nico Y Llull they have been muscular. Even so to Nico I’m not ruling it out for the final. “
In any case, he praised his bases, who he said had “been magnificent” this campaign. “AlocenIn his first season, he is playing at a high level, outstanding. Llull is suffering many injuries and the example against him Valencia it is clear: he is capable of showing up and giving everything for the team. The paper of Nico it has been magnificent too. The three, each in their own style, have played at a magnificent level, “he explained.
But it was not there in terms of Sergio Llull, key in the third match against Valencia. “There are captains who are not captains. Captains who lift trophies and silent captains. Everyone looks at Llull for what it transmits. He does that every day and does that job that the coach sometimes doesn’t get to, “he stressed.