2023-04-25 18:04:16
BarcelonaIf Barça wants to contest the final four of the Euroleague for the third consecutive year, will have to eliminate Zalgiris. The Lithuanian team has more talent than prestige and will not make things easy for the culer team. Some of the keys to the tie, which begins this Wednesday (8 p.m., DAZN) at the Palau Blaugrana, are these:
Very chewy attacks. Zalgiris is a team that is comfortable managing long possessions. “We must be prepared for a very tough tie, similar to that of Bayern Munich. Their virtues are very similar. It is a team that plays with few possessions and a lot of patience. We have to prepare for a very physical, slow and tactical tie”, warns Sarunas Jasikevicius.
Stage management. As in recent seasons, Barça is the favorite to win the quarter-final tie and managing this is not always easy. “We know we will have to suffer, but we have to play with confidence. Our team plays better under pressure. If we want to be champions, we don’t have to make excuses. We have to know how to live with the pressure without ceasing to enjoy it,” says Jasikevicius.
Rhythm control. When Barça combine good defenses with fast attacks, their character changes. If it is able to generate counterattack and transition situations, the Barcelona team will have more facilities to add points. “We must not let anyone impose their rhythm. We have to look for fast and cheerful basketball, but limiting turnovers. We have to play at our pace, not theirs. If we play our basketball, we should win”, says Nikola Mirotic.
Track advantage. Barça will play two home games in just 48 hours. Securing the two victories at the Palau Blaugrana is essential in a five-game tie. “We have to learn from the last two years, when we lost one of the first two games at home. I think the first game of the playoffs will be key,” warns Mirotic.
tight ends Zalgiris does not have a pulse when it comes to tight ends. “They are one of the best teams in the Euroleague in the last five minutes of every game, when the score is tight. They don’t seem to have those types of players, but they always find a way to win,” Jasikevicius opines.
Overconfidence Barça fans celebrated not competing against rivals like Fenerbahçe, Partizan or Maccabi, but relaxing can be a deadly sin. “It will be difficult to convince the fans that the opponent is very tough, but we are trying to convince the players. They understand it because they respect the history of Zalgiris”, sums up Jasikevicius.
Down on the perimeter. Barça will not be able to count on Cory Higgins for the first match of the tie and Zalgiris is without Kenan Evans. Saras is confident of being able to use Àlex Abrines normally. “We’re eight months into the season and all the players have small problems, but that’s what it is,” he remembers. “Higgins’ situation is a shame because he’s very competitive and important to us,” adds Mirotic.
Control of emotions. For Sarunas Jasikevicius and Rokas Jokubaitis this will not be just any qualifier, as they are playing against their former team. “I am the head coach, but the focus has to be on the players. We have to manage these situations. I have played more than 30 times against Zalgiris, first as a player and then as a coach,” says Jasikevicius.
Degree requirement. After the last disappointments, Barça needs titles to reassure its surroundings. “The feelings that the team gives me are very good. We look forward to playing these play-offs. We are aware of what is expected of us. Accomplishing our goals is a motivation”, says Mirotic.
proper names After a season in which the rotations have been more intense, it is time for the decisive players. “Each player understands their role and can adjust it based on what the team needs at any given moment,” explains Mirotic, who is still hurt by some old criticism.
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