Bologna, 24 February –
These are the words of coach Sergio Scariolo in the post-game:
“I am extremely proud of the game we played, we played a solid game from start to finish. We were able to come back after the mistakes and slips we made, but we remained in control, beating a really good team. I thank our fans who were very supportive, as always, especially those who were in Turin last week. I also want to thank my staff for their incredible work, because so many players need daily assistance because one was with a fever last night and one was with the national team and he trained with us this morning. Many players played in pain or with a very high level of fatigue and today they were here fighting: I am very proud of them, especially Abass. A month ago he wasn’t even a player and today he did a great job, scoring a couple of threes and was fundamental in our victory.”
I had the feeling of a compact and confident team during these days with confidence and desire to compete: if you lose a final fighting until the last moment it is never a failure, a disappointment for sure, but definitely not a failure. Clearly we have all experienced disappointment, especially those who work 14 hours a day to create the conditions to win titles. The discourse of Italians and foreigners leaves time to be found, but in attack today Belinelli made a great performance, making himself found and the defensive choices on marking and presence on the court led us to make certain choices. The game of strategy requires us to make choices and trying to be stronger in some games leads to being weaker in others. I would say that in any case the important thing is to have a good nucleus of Italians also in view of the championship, even if they are all outfielders, with Mannion who gave a good performance yesterday in the national team, so when he comes back he will give us a hand, because he is an important player especially in the championship. We are in the fight, in the pile for a place in the play-offs, even though I always said at the start that we shouldn’t be there: the play-offs represent a dream, a goal, to gain experience and try until the end. The past months without important players have been many and we have not always been in the best condition. In March, however, we are in the fight, with a tight classification, we are playing great games and with all the players involved and I think this is positive.
In my opinion the team is performing very close to its maximum potential. It is clear that if we had more health and continuity we could do even better. We keep saying that we want to have a period with the players all at their best, not just present but in top condition. We are missing Isaia, who is very useful between the two sides of the pitch, and we hope to get him back, although not anytime soon. More than a saint, we now have difficult challenges against strong teams: we have to take one game at a time. I like to think we are all dreaming, but I don’t want to delude people by promising things that were very difficult to achieve a priori, whereas now they are more within reach. But we don’t want to create any frustration or disappointment but to all fight together to try to take the next game as a game to go with confidence, preparation and a bit of health and try.
I put a lot of pressure and expectation on Abass, I regret it a bit, but I think his contribution on the outside defensively can give us great value. Honestly, a month ago I didn’t think he could be so decisive in a Euroleague game, I wouldn’t have believed it: he’s done a great job with the staff, doing a great job: he’s a special guy with a heart and a hunger of the highest level, with his limitations like everyone else. He has his own internal fire and motivation, without needing any external stimulus or motivation, and not many people have that. Hopefully his health will assist him and he can continue to help us on both sides.
My future? I am 100 per cent focused on Virtus. I’m happy here and I want to finish the season in the best possible way and I haven’t spoken to anyone.
