Vladimir Lucic: 'Saras and Trinchieri are best coaches in Europe at the moment' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: imago images/Philippe Ruiz - Scanpix Credit imago images/Philippe Ruiz - Scanpix

For the second year in a row, the Bayern Munichplayers are one step closer to qualifying for the Final Four of the Euroleague.

2-pointers this season

55%20,1Points made:20,1Accuracy:54,9%Place in standings:5Record max:27Record min:9Most made 2FGs:Brandon DaviesTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

For Vladimir Lucic, the passage to this year's final tournament would have a special feat because he would have an almost unique chance to fight for the European throne in front of his people, family, and friends.

In order for that to happen, Bayern must complete an upset and eliminate Barcelona, ​​which entered the quarterfinals from the first position in the standings.

Lucic shared some of his thoughts with Mozzart Sport about the matchup against Barcelona, compared Sarunas Jasikevicius and Andrea Trinchieri's coaching style, and showed his love for the German team.

Vladimir Lucic was asked if the pressure was the reason why Bayern struggled against Barcelona in Game 3 in Munich.

"This season, we were the only team in the entire EuroLeague that played for two or three months without an audience in the stands," Lucic said. "Bavaria was ruled by different rules and laws compared to the north and, for example, Berlin, where ALBA played matches in front of its fans, while we did not."

"Maybe the return of the audience, the euphoria over the results, the sold-out hall, the arrival of a large number of football players who practically finished the season, so they came to see us off and support us, affected everything a little.

Again, it is ungrateful to say that something bothered us at the moment when you are playing with the team that is the first in the EuroLeague," he added.

According to Lucic, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Andrea Trinchieri are one of the best coaches in Europe, and there is a chess game between these two coaches.

FC Bayern Munich / Schedule

FC Bayern Munich FC Barcelona66-75 FC Bayern Munich FC Barcelona59-52 FC Barcelona FC Bayern MunichTue18:00

"In my opinion, they are the two best European coaches at the moment. Or they are among the best coaches so that no one is offended. Both want to be leaders, they are obsessed with basketball and details.

I did not have the opportunity to work with Saras, but from some conversations with the players who were with him, I can draw some parallels between Andrea and him. It is very difficult to scout both of them as coaches. They have a big book with all the actions, they go into the smallest details, and they can adapt both offensively and defensively.

That is why it is no wonder that some things act like chess. It's not just a clash of players on the field, but also two coaching minds next to it," Lucic gave a detailed view.

Bayern forward responded to the famous Trinchieri's statement that it's a privilege to go into the mouth of the shark.

"First of all, I believe that Trinchieri thought that it was a privilege to be in the situation of playing the fifth game with the best team in Europe, ranked first on the standings," the Serbian forward said. "We will play on their court, where the atmosphere will be quite hot and good to play."

"When you look at which teams traditionally stayed out of the playoffs, who was eliminated in the quarterfinals, it is really a privilege that Bayern came to game five. Last year against Olimpia, this year with Barcelona. We have a chance to fight, and one game decides whether you will be among the four best teams in Europe," Lucic added.

Lucic showed his satisfaction seeing how Bayern rose from a very small team to one of the biggest contenders in the EuroLeague during the past few years.

"I am really happy here, which I showed by signing a new three-year contract. Bayern have great potential, and a recipe for how the football team has become one of the best in Europe and the world and strives to become a serious European basketball club," he said.

"I am happy to be a part of that. The construction of a new arena is planned in cooperation with the Red Bull hockey club, which can lead to even greater popularization of basketball here," Lucic continued. "Football is still number one, but Munich as a city and Bayern as a club have great potential to be a stable EuroLeague team. For the second year in a row, we are playing in the playoffs, showing good results that bring more fans to the stands and raise the popularity of basketball."

Finally, Lucic was asked what would be the feeling playing in EuroLeague's Final Four, which will be held in his home country Serbia.

"At first, I would probably be under a lot of pressure from people who would call me for tickets (laughs)," Lucic noted. "I would have to see first how to isolate myself from all that.

"The best possible feeling would be to participate in Final Four in your city and country, in front of your family and friends. But all this is still very far away. First, let us play the game on Tuesday, and we will see in the future ", Lucic concluded with his feet firmly on the ground.

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