Bologna –
“It will undoubtedly be a different season from last year’s, both in terms of the competitions that will be played and the level of the teams we are going to meet. We are well aware that we will have to make choices: obviously the priority will be to work hard to get a place in the Euroleague playoffs, this does not mean not giving importance to the championship, Coppa Italia or Supercoppa games. Our trainers and doctors will have to give us precise indications not to overload some players, especially the long players. We will have to have a lot of patience, intelligence and team spirit: there will be difficulties, especially at the beginning.”
“Abass? He is in the right mood, obviously for us and for him it was a hard blow. This is fortunately not the same situation as last year, where he missed the whole season so we are waiting for him, not as soon as possible but we are waiting for him with the right timing and well, ready to rejoin the team.”
“Teodosic has a hip problem, it’s a traditional problem for him at the beginning of the season. He is a special player, so he can only be put back on track when he is healed and conditioned, that is, in the right shape. We tend not to want to take risks with anyone, least of all him.”
“Everyone will have to contribute, it will be a difficult season. In the Euroleague the last teams that get into the playoffs tend to get there with 50 percent wins and 50 percent losses. I am ready, I don’t panic about difficulties or a few lost games. We have to be aware that we all have our hands on the wheel when the road is dirt or winding. The head will have to work all the time, especially in difficult moments because in the easy ones everyone is good. No one becomes guilty if they make some mistakes: the important thing is to always have positive energy, like that of the fans, which especially at the beginning will be very important. The fans have to make themselves heard, all the more so in this start that is not easy for us: there will be moments when we have to fight in the mud but always in a cohesive and united way. Especially in home games our fans in this will play a key role, even within the same game. This is a long season, a marathon that is won in the last kilometers.”
“Wednesday’s game? “Doing our best, with a very light heart. When one goes on the field and gives his best, you are already a winner.”
“Mannion? I saw him healthy in the meantime, more toned certainly, a symptom of the health he has acquired. I asked him to continue to be himself, improving the aspects where he knows he needs to improve. No one has any doubts about Mannion, but it all depends on when he will mature in this context that is definitely different and new than what he was used to. His challenge is to control the team, to control the ball-I don’t give away minutes, we have so many players in that role so it will be necessary for everyone to know that performance in training and in the game will count. I am not the coach of Mannion, of Pajola, of Hackett, of Lundberg, I am the coach of Virtus and I have to be fair to the team. The goal is for Nico to become a global player, he has the qualities to do that, the timing is up to him: I will be the notary, he will be happy when I put my stamp on his improvements. I am star convinced that he will get to the required level.”
