Scariolo: 'Our three leaders have bought into the project' / News - Basketnews.com

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"I am excited, I return to Virtus in a stable situation after well known events of a few years ago. I believe we can do a good job, and that there is so much to do." These were the first words of new Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach Sergio Scariolo, as he was introduced today at a press conference in Segafredo Arena. Club owner Massimo Zanetti and general manager Paolo Ronci were also present.

"He agreed to coach Virtus to make the team bigger, more beautiful and more winning," Zanetti said. "We have chosen the best, I am sure that Sergio Scariolo will give us many satisfactions. He will not only be the coach of Virtus, but he will also help us make our club even more professional"."I have will and look ahead. We have to consolidate ourselves at the top of Italian and European basketball. I am here to help the team and the club to succeed", explained Scariolo. "I know my limits, I'm being a part of the machine. I have to do my job well and bring my experience. I have great respect for the owner and the management, I do not want to create confusion about the roles and the origin of the decisions that are made," Scariolo continued."The important thing is that everyone gives 100%. The team has to grow, without emotional imbalances or tragedies if we lose a game, or believe we're the world champions if we win two in a row", stressed the Spanish national team coach. "When - I hope that will be soon - we arrive in the EuroLeague, we have to do it with our muscles ready, so that we can last for a long time".

In regards to his communication with Virtus players, Scariolo said: "I just arrived, but I spoke with the captain and the most representative players: Ricci, Teodosic and Belinelli; they enriched me a lot. In general, the common feeling is "OK, it was 20 magical days, but let's not get dazzled by the magic of that period and make a wider assessment", the experienced tactician stressed."All three of them have bought into the project, they are motivated, people who speak from the inside and want to help. Then, there are the contractual situations and I do not go into that, we talked about basketball and emotions".

Asked about last year and Virtus missing its targets at the EuroCup, Scariolo replied: "You can't make a negative assessment of the EuroCup because you lost the last game. I believe that the team is generally getting stronger. But you have to be careful about balance. There's room to keep filling the glass, without making it crack, so that all players feel involved and give their best. 6+6 is a pretty stiff constraint, we'll try to have balance. I would like our group of Italian players to continue with us, it is everyone's desire. And I would like to also improve the foreign players' department, without diversions," concluded Sergio Scariolo.

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