Jasikevicius' claim against tough schedule: 'We are burning players' / News - Basketnews.com

Sarunas Jasikevicius is not happy with the pre-season schedule where his team needs to play four games in six days.

Credit: AFP-SCANPIX Credit AFP-SCANPIX

After winning the first Catalan League as FC Barcelona's head coach, Sarunas Jasikevicius appeared in front of the media in the Supercopa's preview. The competition, including four teams, takes place this weekend in Sevilla.

The Blaugranas will face Joventut Badalona in tonight's second semifinal of the day (at 21:30 CET). Real Madrid will play against Coosur Real Betis in the tournament opener at 18:30 CET.

Although the new season is yet to start, the Lithuanian coach complained about the tough schedule.

"After two days playing [Tuesday and Wednesday], we did nothing on Thursday. On Friday, we practiced and that's all. We continue with the same thing," Jasikevicius began.

"We have already talked about this many times, but it is what it is. I am being paid to coach, not to make the calendar. We are burning players. We have already cried, we have complained many times and nobody pays attention to us. I hope they give us more games before they take them away from us," he added.

Regarding the game against Joventut, the 46-year-old specialist admitted it will be a different story from Wednesday when Barca lifted the Catalan League trophy after beating the same Joventut, 92-82.

"We have to learn from what we did right and wrong, without that we can't win. The first thing is the mentality, everything starts from scratch. It's a new competition and we have to forget Tarragona," he said.

Finally, Jasikevicius confessed he doesn't know when Nikola Mirotic, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, will return to the basketball court.

"I am not a doctor. Obviously, we will miss him," he concluded.

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