Zanetti on Sergio Scariolo: We signed the players that Scariolo wanted

On the day of Luca Banchi’s presentation as the new coach of Virtus Bologna, club president Massimo Zanetti addressed the dismissal of Sergio Scariolo.

On Virtus Bologna

“I am here today because I feel obligated to defend Virtus Bologna. It’s the most important basketball team in Italy, with more fans than many football teams. That’s why, in my opinion, it’s the most important. It’s not acceptable for Virtus to be considered just like any other team.”

On Sergio Scariolo

“I consider Sergio Scariolo a great coach, and I even defended him in certain moments with the club’s front office. But love stories come to an end, something happened, in my opinion. We shouldn’t forget about the various inteviews with Toronto and Real Madrid, while he had a contract with Virtus, as if it were a Serie B team.”

On the Team

“I consider this team very strong, precisely because it was built by Sergio Scariolo and Paolo Ronci (club manager, ndr). All the players were signed in agreement with the coach. In the end, Teodosic left, whom I have great affection for, but it should not be forgotten that in October, Scariolo wanted to put both Teodosic and Belinelli aside. He didn’t play them for many games because, in his opinion, they were old. Fortunately, we renewed Belinelli’s contract, Teodosic had some physical problems, didn’t accept our offer, and it’s right that he went back home. But the team is not made up of just one player.”

On the Team

“We signed five players that Scariolo wanted; I believe this team is very strong. And we hope to win something.”