Jasikevicius: 'It was probably our best game in the last month and a half' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Zuma Press - Scanpix Credit Zuma Press - Scanpix

FC Barcelona controlled the rhythm, managed their emotions better, and were better than Real Madrid in the El Clasico battle.

FC Barcelona / Schedule

Real Madrid FC Barcelona75-85 FC Barcelona Joventut Badalona01-3017:30

They won by a ten points margin (85-75). The Blaugranas have defeated the Blancos twice this season. Real have only lost two of their last 23 games - both against their biggest rival.

Sarunas Jasikevicius was satisfied after the game, especially because of his team's situation in the last weeks with the Covid-19 outbreak and some losses.

"Surely this win will improve our confidence in this moment of the season. We are trying to recover injured players, putting them on the court to be in better shape day-to-day. This is more important for me now rather than the win," expressed the Lithuanian coach.

"I am happy because people like Calathes, Higgins, or Mirotic have been important, and we need them. It's clear," he added.

Barcelona ended the game with just 4 turnovers, an excellent stat in such a game like that.

"It's like a miracle. It is probably our best game in the last month and a half. You always have to be solid in offense and defense, especially here in Madrid. We controlled our emotions and their final run in the end. I am happy," said the 45-year-old coach.

Jasikevicius revealed it was easy for him to make rotations during the game and choose the best line-up to beat Madrid.

"Everyone was playing well, so I could choose the ones I consider were doing better to play in the end. I could not do that in Kazan as Laprovittola and Jokubaitis made many turnovers. Despite some defense mistakes, we played a solid game," concluded Jasikevicius.

On the other hand, Pablo Laso admitted that his team could have done it better during the game.

"Firstly, I would like to congratulate Barca for the victory because it was a game in which it was difficult for us to stay focused for many minutes, and we always had the feeling of going behind them and having little initiative in the game," began the Spanish coach.

Barcelona were up by 12 (68-56) at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Despite this, Real Madrid could not make a comeback.

"It was a bit of a good reaction from us that has made us get closer. Still, once again, we have made bad decisions both offensively and defensively. I think we can do much more," added Laso.

Barcelona have won two of the three Clasicos of the season so far. Laso admitted they need to control the rhythm a little bit more.

"I have the feeling that going after them made us change the rhythm too late, and the feeling was that they always dominated. I am angry, and I have the feeling that we could have played much better, and that's why we lost," concluded Real Madrid's head coach.

Both teams will face each other again on February 11th in the Euroleague.

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