Andrea Trinchieri reacts to his first Zalgiris win: 'Players were better than me' / News - Basketnews.com

New Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Andrea Trinchieri started his career in Lithuania with a victory against ALBA Berlin. In the press conference after the game, the Italian coach shared his views about EuroLeague intensity, the effect of fans, and his return to coaching.

Credit: D. Lukšta Credit D. Lukšta

Andrea Trinchieri began his Zalgiris Kaunas with a hard-fought victory over ALBA Berlin at home, with a score of 77-71.

Player of the Game EFF 19 Tomas Dimša Points 12 Accuracy 4-10 Rebounds 5 Assists 2

In the post-game press conference, the experienced Italian coach talked about a multitude of matters, including the effects of the fans and atmosphere, how tough it is to compete in the EuroLeague, and what he feels about his return to coaching.

"The win is a win, and we have to enjoy [it]. Partially, we didn't look good, but we managed to win a game," Trinchieri began.

"The players were better than me," the specialist admitted. "They really tried to listen. I asked the team one thing. I am not asking for a perfect game, but I can ask for the perfect effort," Trinchieri revealed his instructions before the game, before underlining a specific player: "And Lukas [Lekavicius] had the perfect effort. This is the postcard of the game."

At this point, the Italian coach talked about an entertaining situation that he faced before the game.

"My friends in Italy bet on me that I would only be successful if I made the Zalgirio Arena play Italo Disco," Trinchieri stated gleefully. "I am now 1-0 ahead."

Later on, the coach was asked about the Zalgirio Arena atmosphere, which is occasionally sold out.

"I am here for this reason [the atmosphere]," Trinchieri stated directly. "When I was in Partizan, I made analytics. Players play with more energy. They play with 30% more energy," he claimed.

On the topic of Lekavicius, the Italian coach stated the following: "He plays bigger than his size, he plays like a 2-meter guard, shooting floaters..."

Trinchieri also praised Tomas Dimsa, though he expressed regret that the team committed 7 fouls in three minutes to begin the game.

3-pointers this season

41%9,9Points made:9,9Accuracy:41,1%Place in standings:5Record max:14Record min:7Most made 3FGs:Keenan EvansTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"We made some silly fouls. But I take it, it's the beginning. EuroLeague is, you need to be nasty sometimes."

After that, the coach was asked about his return to the EuroLeague after missing the first half this season.

"I don't play for the audience. I am not afraid of the judgment of what they do," Trinchieri stated bluntly. "I play with a philosophy. I was doing a lot of things. It was the right thing to stay out," he had a self-reflection. "I needed to regenerate myself, I was doing TV, many things."

"Sometimes people don't understand that you can be multitasking and be happy," he stated. "I was just waiting for the right thing. Commentating on TV helped me a lot to see things with a [cool] head.

Life is just facing adversities. You can either see the problem or the solution," he concluded.

A follow-up question emerged about the team's early foul trouble and the fact that 11 players entered the court in the first quarter.

"Basketball is very situational. What you do today may not be right tomorrow," Trinchieri shared. "I first want to understand the team, understand the players. I believe the EuroLeague is so cruel and demanding; you cannot play with 5 players," he stated. "No one is more important than the team, but everybody can help the team."

Full Andrea Trinchieri press conference:

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