Bologna –
These are the words of coach Sergio Scariolo: “The fact that we had a week of rest in which to prepare tactically and physically benefited us. We had a good overall defensive continuity, while offensively we can avoid the moments where the ball stops too much, taking the necessary risks, but overall we can be satisfied, even if we are only talking about a palyoff in Game 1, with a path just started and full of obstacles in front of us. Against the third one that has shown strength all year, to be the third force in the league right behind us in the ranking, we should definitely expect dangerous turns in the next games.
As I said we were able to have time, physical condition and health to make sure that we practiced all week with the full team, and that always shows. Unfortunately, we never had that during the year and that was noticed often-there is no secret. When we have been healthy and full we have been these, or something less, but now we look ahead and think about improving the things that can be improved.”
Shengelia? last year he had just arrived, while this year he already has an important experience with his teammates, the society, the team, the city and the system of play, and he arrived here healthy, without ever being healthy throughout the year, in the last few weeks. Unfortunately, he weighed heavily on us when he was out, so many months, we missed him a lot when he took many weeks to find his form, but now he is a player with marked leadership, able to cover all areas of the game well and he is working a lot on his ability to chastise doubles with good solutions for teammates so we are satisfied. It must be said that he also knows that those who feel satisfied are braking, while there is a need to accelerate more.”
Tortona’s reaction? We are not talking about a playoff series between first and eighth with a wide-open gap, but about two teams that finished one behind the other so I would say that this difference should not exist: so there is no doubt that with the qualities they have from a tactical, technical and physical point of view they will play a game of great substance the day after tomorrow. We will certainly have to be ready, because normally the second game of a series is a watershed game where you have to expect the opponent to do everything not to go 2-0 which many times may sound doomed, but often it is not. We are confident that with great strength our opponents will go for it next Tuesday.”
