Pedro Martínez: “We have suffered, the team has shown personality”

Pedro Martinezcoach of Real Madridhe remarked this Friday, after his team’s victory against the dubai Basketball 92-95 in the semifinals of the new Super Cup of the Euroleague, who knew how to “suffer” and showed “personality” after coming back from 16 points in the second quarter of the game.

The Catalan coach made it clear that they are still in preseason, and although the team had “problems scoring” in the first half, they improved in the second quarter, although he said that they must “work” to “continue improving.”

“A very tough game, very physical. They are a great team with a great defense. In the first half they dominated us in rhythm, in defense…We had problems scoring. Fortunately, we finished the second quarter well and in the second half we had the opportunity to win. In the last minutes we made many mistakes and in overtime we achieved the victory. A very tough game. Happy to win, but at the same time, we are in preseason and we must work to continue improving,” he said in the press conference after the match. duel

For this reason, he praised his team’s ability to suffer, although he was “critical” of the defensive level of his players, whom he asked to be more “tough” and “solid” to improve as a team.

“The first thing is that we have won. We must be happy. But we cannot think that we are going to win easily. We have suffered, the team has shown personality. Obviously, when you play in extra time it is a toss-up; today it came out heads. We are happy with the effort we have made, especially to get back into the game when we were losing by 16 points. It is true that in the pre-season it is normal to have partial scores against and in favor…”, he analyzed.

“We have shot well from three points, but we must improve and be able to find better situations. In defense we must be critical and be tougher and more physical, be more in the passing line, defend better one-on-one…We have not been solid, but it is normal at the moment we are in,” he continued.

With a style yet to be implemented, he reiterated that they need a little more time to shape the way they play: “We must understand that we are in a process with many new players, many of them without experience at this level, and we need more time together.”

Questioned about the importance of new pieces like Jaime Pradilla either Luwawu-Cabarrotalso wanted to highlight Happy, Tavares either Campazzounderlining the idea that everyone can contribute in any game.

“They have had moments in which they have been decisive. But we could extend it to more players, like Andrés Happywhich has recovered from a bad half. I think that the defense of Campazzo about Okobo, who has been his MVPit has been very good. Tavares has made a great effort, he has been very solid, rebounding well…In the end it is about having the maximum number of players who can help. Surely tomorrow there will be others, and that is good that happens,” he concluded.

The Royal Madrid will be measured this Saturday at Olympiacos at the end of the new Super Cup of the Euroleague at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. For his part, the dubai and the Fenerbahce They will play for third and fourth place.