Sergio Scariolo: The natural offensive quality is lower; the potential is to have a higher defensive

Sergio Scariolo speaks about the new season of Virtus Bologna in his first press conference.

“I am trying to get to know the team and the new players. I have great energy and enthusiasm; the new season will be demanding. There is a lot to work on, but I see a good attitude and a general willingness. There is no doubt that the natural offensive quality is lower; the potential is to have a higher defensive performance. It will be a nice challenge for many players, many of whom have not had a priority role. Many need to take a step forward in terms of personality and management of decisive possessions.”

“Many games are played and won in the fourth quarters, with aggressive defenses. We expect steps forward; we will no longer have Milos to play the pick n’roll, we will have to look for good shots from collective actions, and someone will have to be able to create from scratch. With Spain, we played very well as a team, but we lacked the player to give the ball to in possessions where the ball burns. Who can it be? I have not identified it yet; we will have to see if someone can take a step forward. No one has been so far in the past, but we expect it.”

“It’s a question for the club. The club has handed me the team, and I receive it, eager to work and willing to make it competitive, sacrificing and working for each other. The construction of the team is by the club, and credit must be given for doing the best possible based on the means available. Now it’s up to us to do our best.”

“The decision is by the club; at this moment, it has priority. There has been communication; we will see in the coming days. He trains with great seriousness and professionalism, as he has always done. These are decisions based on the square of the means available. It doesn’t matter who makes it; it’s the chosen line, you have to adapt and be compact. The internal debate is internal; external communication must be compact.”

“Looking at the Euroleague roster, I see that the teams that have strengthened the most are those that were out of the playoffs last year. The Euroleague will be even more competitive and difficult.”