Sergio Scariolo discusses market moves and future of EuroLeague / News - Basketnews.com

Virtus Bologna and Spanish NT head coach Sergio Scariolo spoke right before the Italian league match against Olimpia Milan, discussing many topics, including the future of EuroLeague basketball and Virtus' role in the domestic league.

Credit: D. Lukšta Credit D. Lukšta

Tonight, Virtus Bologna and Olimpia Milan, the two Italian powerhouses, will face each other in the Italian league in one of the most anticipated matches of the season.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna / Schedule

Virtus Segafredo Bologna Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul92-88 FC Barcelona Virtus Segafredo BolognaThu19:30

In anticipation of the game, Virtus' head coach Sergio Scariolo spoke with 'Il Corriere della Sera' and touched on many topics, including the future of EuroLeague basketball.

"The game against Milan will always be a very important one for our fans. They live it in a different way," Scariolo said about the Italian league match. "But we're only in January, and this game will not decide the fate of our season and neither of Milan."

The head coach of the Spanish national team was also asked about the future of the EuroLeague and if Virtus Bologna might decide to step away from the Italian league one day.

"Leaving the Italian League? No, and I think it would be the wrong move," Scariolo explained. "We don't know much about the changes that EuroLeague is currently discussing, except for the will to increase the number of teams in the competition."

"This is our first season back in EuroLeague, and now we need to prove that we belong here, but I do believe that Virtus Bologna and Olimpia Milan also have an important leadership role in Italy. In our domestic league, we're a benchmark for the other teams," Scariolo continued.

The Italian head coach also gave his opinion about the current schedule in Europe, which represents a major issue for all the parties involved.

"The overload of the calendar is obvious, as is the need to harmonize the commitments of clubs and national team windows," Sergio Scariolo said. "However, I am not so sure that it is as clear in the minds of the decision-makers."

"This season, we have not played a single game in which all players were available. It is also a business issue: you can organize all the tournaments you want, but who will come to watch them if the players are injured?" Scariolo asked rhetorically.

In the final part of the interview, the Virtus Bologna head coach also talked about the possibility that his team will make a move on the market to strengthen the quality of the roster.

"We're very well covered in some departments, while we have fewer options in others," Scariolo stated. "The club is evaluating all the options. In the previous years, Virtus made some significant investments in the market, and I'm respectful of all the financial decisions the club needs to make."

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