Bartzokas: «We must match-up Zalgiris' aggressiveness»
During the media day in view of Olympiacos' home game against Zalgiris (11/10, 20Q15 CET) for the 2nd round of the Euroleague, Giorgos Bartzokas talked about what the Lithuanian team has showed in her first European game of the season, and also the things the 'red & whites' must pay attention to.
Asked about the first home game of the season vs Zalgiris: "Their performance against Barcelona was encouraging for them. They played aggressively on both ends of the court and mainly in defense. They played a very physical game and I feel that their opponent did not expect as much. They stole 9 balls which ended up in the transition. They put their hands on the ball, they attack the ball a lot, and they protect their rim. They have some top-class defensive players in the '4' and '5' positions, as well as in the perimeter. What we need to match up with is aggressiveness, the physicality they're going to implement in the game. It's a game in which the opponent does not come up as the one to play a hard and physical game, but it will be one just like that.
About the lost rebounds in the Euroleague premiere against Fenerbahce and how much the team has had time to improve on that aspect of the game: "Lost rebounds are a mental thing on one hand, but it's also a real problem because we are missing the two top rebounders of the team. Fall and Milutinov will in theory solve a big part of the problem. Of course, many rebounds were long ones, it had to do with the participation of many players. Right now, the important thing is how tough we are. The Euroleague is a league where talent is important, but because it has many good players and good coaches, it's a league where very tough games are played from the first round and not just in the playoffs. So, that's what we have to pay attention to, we have to go first for every challenged ball, and be willing to help one another. Right now we are trying to get better on all these things, we are not as compact as we should be. I think it's only natural, we have new players, each one is trying to identify their teammates' game and that makes us more hesitant and less inclined to decide".
On Petrusev's absence from the practice session: "It's not COVID or anything like that. We hope he's Ok tomorrow. He will not practice today; he went home because he wasn't feeling well". About when what he has in mind will start showing up on the floor: "I can't set a date, because it has to do with when our injured players return. Right now, our practices are very intense, but cannot be very long. Yesterday (09/10), it was Fall's first practice. Up to now, we have had only two big players at practice. So, it has to do with that. When the whole team will be able to practice together. Fall joined us yesterday, we hope Milutinov comes back any day now, competition will be tougher together with how long practice lasts and they will all lead to longer periods of good performance in the games".
Wright: «We must play hard against Zalgiris»
On his part, Moses Wright, the team's center, pointed out defense and physicality his team has to showcase against the Lithuanians: "Just like the coach says, it's important to play hard and be careful with our defense". Asked about the big players on the team and the fact that he's alone right now, he said: "I'm not alone, I have Filip (Petrusev) that I trust. Fall is coming back in a little while and when he's absolutely healthy, he's going to be with us in the games, I look forward to that. Right now, it's just me and Filip and it's fine".
• Filip Petrusev did not participate Thursday's practice (10/10) due to feeling unwell.
• Shaquielle McKissic - who missed yesterday's practice - participated today.