Bartzokas: «One on one defense is going to be key»
The Olympiacos’ delegation flew to Moscow on Wednesday (December 2) on a chartered flight, in view of the game against CSKA (3/12, 18.00 CET) for the 12th round of the Euroleague, with a 13 players traveling. Aaron Harrison, Vassilis Christidis and Alexandros Nikolaidis did not board the plane.
The coach of Olympiacos, Giorgos Bartzokas, was asked about the shape his team is in, given that during the preceding game against Baskonia, he was missing a total of five players. “Each day is better. We are almost all together. Harrison is not coming with us, but everyone else is. Of course, everyone’s conditioning is at a different stage, but at least, we are much more in relation to the previous game”.
For the game against the Army’s team, he pointed out: “CSKA is a team aggressively attacking the opponent’s mismatches, tries to mark the game and has players that are very good at one on one, both facing front and against the rim. So, it will take good one on one defense, controlling the rebounds and from there on, we need to play in rhythm and with intensity and speed. They don’t move the ball like they used to be doing in previous season, but having tremendous talent in the offense, they try to take advantage of every mismatch. That’s why everyone needs to contribute with our defense”.
When asked to comment on the “Mondays’ Games against COVID” program (the first game was held on Monday, November 30 against Kolossos Rhodes), he said: “It’s a combination of two factors. It was a game that I even had not expected to be that substantial and important, in the aspect that it helps us get into rhythm, since we don’t have many games in our belt and many guys don’t get many minutes with the Euroleague. But above all else, I felt extremely happy and proud because this way Olympiacos is supporting very significant, humane goals”.
«We need to give more than 100%»
Sasha Vezenkov, who is returning to action against the Russians, said about the game: “It’s certainly good that we can all practice together. We have tried to find rhythm through practicing and cover for lost ground, so we are now ready for tomorrow’s game. CSKA is a very good team and we need to give more than 100% to have a chance at winning”.
And went on to say: “It’s a very difficult game. They are a team that ranks very high with very talented players, so we need to do a lot of things well to keep our chances at winning this game viable. We need to play very good defense, be tough, control the tempo and the rebounds and bring energy and passion on the floor. We have to play hard to contain their assets”.
Finally, when asked to comment on the the “Mondays’ Games against COVID” program, he pointed out: “It’s very good initiative on the part of our team and I’m not talking just about the friendly game, but also about the donations. It’s very promising that this is going to go on, of course, when our official games allow room for it. It’s a very satisfying feeling to play and at the same time, offer to society”.