Pablo Laso: 'I understand some people didn't believe in us a month ago' / News - Basketnews.com

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Pablo Laso will be in his 7th EuroLeague Final Four as Real Madrid's head coach. No other coach has been it more times in the last decade.

3-pointers this season

36%9,7Points made:9,7Accuracy:35,8%Place in standings:3Record max:18Record min:1Most made 3FGs:Rudy FernandezTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The Spanish mastermind attended the media in the press conference ahead of Belgrade, some hours before the Blancos took off to the Serbian capital.

Laso confirmed that only Carlos Alocen will be sidelined at the event, but he will travel with the team too.

"I see my team prepared for the Final Four. Everyone is ready except Alocen," Laso said.

Real Madrid struggled as never before during March, downgrading from 2nd seed to 4th in the EuroLeague regular season. An unexpected streak that turned on all the alarms in the Casa Blanca.

Far from sinking, Madrid bounced back as they used to, improving the offensive fluency. They will face FC Barcelona in the semifinals with a nine-game winning streak. More than a month without a loss.

"I understand that a month ago no one believed in us. I did. I don't think we were that bad, but it's also true that in the last month we have competed very well and that the series against Maccabi gave us confidence," Laso admitted.

Barcelona is the last step to reach another final. Madrid has lost five of the six games played against the Blaugranas this season so far. Laso analyzed another edition of El Clasico.

"They are a great team, while Calathes controls and generates a lot in a team that has a lot of points in its hands," he began.

"I don't know what pace suits us best, honestly. When you face a great team you have to adapt to the circumstances, so I think we are prepared for any situation.

The hunger is always the same. If we weren't playing against Barcelona, we would have the same hunger," he added, replying to Jasikevicius' quotes about Madrid's motivation.

Asked about his memories from 2018, when Real Madrid lifted the trophy, Laso smiled and answered deeply.

"Half of the players are gone. Luka (Doncic), Facu (Campazzo), Felipe (Reyes), Ayon (Gustavo) are gone. Others remained. The team has searched for solutions to find its best version. I see the team as competitive.

Four years ago, we played the semifinals against CSKA and the final over Fenerbahce. We were not the big favorites, but Fabien Causeur played amazing. Everyone has to contribute and a player with three or four minutes on the court can be key."

Last but not least, the Spanish specialist gave an extensive update on Rudy Fernandez, who joined the team after the death of his father.

"It's been a tough few days for Rudy and his family. I am clear that he is going to help us as much as he can, whether he plays a minute or 40. At the basketball level, he has trained very well," Pablo Laso concluded.

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