Larentzakis: «We will be who we need to be»
Olympiacos is returning to action! The ‘reds’ left Monday for Istanbul, where tomorrow (11/01, 18.45 CET), they will be facing off against Fenerbahce for the 20th round of the Euroleague.
“We have missed games very much, the motivation you have when you play a game and the whole procedure of it in general”, Giannoulis Larentzakis admitted. “We have had this break, with our team dealing with multiple Covid-19 cases. We are practically going to play a game after only two practices with the whole team present. Nevertheless, I believe we are not that impacted, because it’s a game we want to win. We want to keep up with our good outlook up to this point”.
On how much Olympiacos has been impacted, as well as all Euroleague teams, by the break, he commented: “It’s a fact that the teams are going to need some time to get back in rhythm after the break. Covid has broken the rhythm. We haven’t played for 15 days, either for the Euroleague or for the Greek League. However, we have worked rather well during all that time, so as to be able to deal with adverse situations. It’s going definitely take some patience and even more focus, but I believe we are going to be who we need to be, because we really want to win”.
Asked if the absence of De Colo and Jan Vesely make his work and that of his team mates even easier, he replied: “I wouldn’t say easier. It has happened quite a few times in the past for key players missing and others stepping up and play together and present a very competitive roster. The coach has talked to us about it and we are ready. We are not going there having in mind that they will be missing their best players and it’s going to be an easy game for us. On the contrary… We are going there focused, as if they will be playing with their full roster”.
On what part the chance factor is going to be playing in this season’s Euroleague, since Covid has been ‘striking’ without with no exceptions and no warning, he pointed out: “Unfortunately, we live through some very strange times. This is not only true for basketball, but in all areas of life. I would like to wish health above everything else and that everyone remains vigilant because the numbers are daunting. I hope that everyone remains healthy and we soon return to normalcy”.