Maccabi Tel Aviv was defeated in the latest EuroLeague game, starting the regular season with an 1-1 record. Head coach Yiannis Sfairopoulos hopes to see his team getting back on track, starting from the game vs. Milan.
Olimpia Milano is coming off the opposite side of the spectrum, as the Italian powerhouse started the season with two wins in the top-tier competition of European basketball.
“Milan is very experienced group in any position, and their players can kill you on any given day,” said coach Sfairopoulos at the press conference prior to the game. “We want to present a different picture on the floor than the one we presented in the previous game.
We need to be very focused and make a defense that will disrupt their game. Offensive We must be very smart in reading the game and always attack. I expect our players to play better and fight the same way on both sides of the floor.”
Maccabi signed eight new players during the past offseason. As a result, the team has yet to find its footing chemistry-wise. Coach Sfairopoulos claimed the club should not rely on such excuses.
“The players are still very far from the fitness I want them to be. But I do not want to focus on the problems we have had so far because it will sound like an excuse — and I do not like to use excuses. We are a new team, we have eight new players, and everyone needs to be coordinated and ready to play in the same mind.
One thought on the game, no matter who the five players are. I know we are at Maccabi and we need to deliver results here and now, and we will do our best,” the Greek coach concluded.
Maccabi will face Olimpia in Milan on Tuesday, while they will continue their road tour in Lyon, where they will play against ASVEL on Thursday.
