Bartzokas: «The majority of our players must have a good night»

The coach of Olympiacos, Giorgos Bartzokas, said that playing as a team and the majority of his players having a good night will be crucial to beat Real Madrid (20/01, 20:00 CET).

“The game is very difficult and everyone realizes so. Our team’s fans understand that as well and that’s why the game has sold out for days now. Everyone is expecting a high level game, I would also hope that the spectacle is one of high level too. Both teams can make it hard for the opposing team, with the assets they have. I’m talking about their game style which is very particular. Our game is also a bit particular on both ends of the floor, but so is Real’s, a team with very experienced guards in their ranks, with strong personalities and also with big size in the post. All in all, it’s going to be a difficult game. We shall have to play well, have the majority of our players having a good night and also play a solid team game”.  

He also added: “We spend a lot of effort in every game because that’s how the Euroleague is. I was asked again recently, if we feel pressure because we have lost three home games… I would like to remind you that Real, that’s also ranking at the top, has lost three home games and Barcelona as well. That’s how the Euroleague is. There are so many games that you are going to win at home, lose at home and the same goes for the road games. At the end, you are going to see if you have made the top 8, which is the number one goal for all participating teams. The opponent is also on the floor and they play too. If you are not having a good day and the other team plays well… I’m saying that because in the game we lost at home, Crvena Zvezda played an amazing game. We don’t separate the games as home and road ones. The fact of course that we haven’t had to travel and we are going to be playing in our environment, in the atmosphere our fans are going to be creating, is an advantage”.