From BZ/dpa
After the last seven defeats in a row in the Euroleague, Alba expects the next heavyweight in Europe on Thursday evening at home with FC Barcelona (6.30 p.m.).
“A very good team, very physical and always at the limit. And we’re not in our best shape right now,” said coach Israel Gonzalez. “So our priority isn’t winning, it’s playing our best basketball.”
After a strong year at Alba, Oscar da Silva (right) moved to Barcelona in the summer Photo: City Press
The focus is therefore on your own team. “We shouldn’t worry too much about Barcelona, but more about our mental state. And above all with our defense, because we have to improve there,” said Gonzalez.
Despite the negative run, panic should not arise in the first place. Especially since Alba had the same record in the premier class at the same time last season.
“We have to keep believing in us”
captain Luke Sikma therefore appeals not to question everything. “We can’t change anything now and we have to keep believing in our way of playing. Even after several difficult weeks. We know what we have to do. And despite the defeats, the last few games have been steps in the right direction,” said the 33-year-old.
So Alba remains optimistic, but a sense of achievement is urgently desired. Because the many bankruptcies eat away at the soul. “We all have to get out of the low one by one. Then, of course, the atmosphere is completely different,” said winger Louis Olinde.
Especially with the free throws more concentration is required. Because Alba recently weakened enormously. “That must not happen to us because it has now cost us three games where we could have won. But it’s more of a head thing,” said Olinde.