Real Madrid coach, Sergio Scariolo, has emphasized the significance of the upcoming EuroLeague match against Olympiacos, whom he considers the "number one" team in the competition. Scariolo highlighted his team's consistent strength in away games over recent months, a crucial factor in approaching this challenging encounter.
“"It's an extremely difficult game against the number one team in the EuroLeague. Furthermore, they play very good basketball, with great individual talent and a strong team sense. It will be a game of maximum difficulty, one that you enjoy playing, one that you enjoy winning. I don't recall an away game where we haven't played well or very well 90% of the time."
Scariolo insisted that Real Madrid's main objective is to maintain the same work ethic and competitive attitude they have shown in their recent road trips. The key, according to the coach, will be to approach the game with "exactly the same attitude, preparation, and personality" to secure a victory, especially if the game comes down to the wire.
Regarding their standing in the league, the Italian coach stated that the locker room is calmly approaching the final three games of the regular season. The team's focus remains solely on the immediate commitment, trusting in their strengths to compete at the highest level on any court, as they have demonstrated throughout the season.
The coach also addressed the possibility of extra motivation due to last season's elimination by Olympiacos. However, Scariolo believes that the magnitude of the game itself provides the necessary competitive drive, without requiring additional incentives.
Finally, Scariolo expressed his frustration over five narrow losses by one or two points. He attributed these outcomes to various causes, from specific plays to earlier decisions within the game, emphasizing the importance of being more effective in critical moments.
