“I have seen a lot of rust in many players”
MADRID, 22 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The national men's basketball coach, Sergio Scariolo, described as “promising” the return of Ricky Rubio in the defeat this Thursday against Latvia, where they accused the “rust” of many players without minutes in their clubs.
“I have nothing to reproach my players. The difference in physicality in the teams is clear and also in confidence, due to the many players in our team who were playing very little or not at all in their teams. We made a great effort to equalize the rebound , we work on defense and we try to move the ball in attack,” he said at a press conference in Zaragoza.
Spain began the qualifying phase for Eurobasket 2025 with defeat in a Príncipe Felipe where, despite not playing a game in a year, Rubio led the team. “I have seen a lot of rust in many players. If someone has become overexcited with Ricky's return that has to be a motivation. It is true that there has been a bit of a stir but what I have noticed is that there are players who are playing little that has cost them,” he said.
“I have seen him as I saw him in training, with a lot of will, calm, with the desire to do well. Obviously doing something well and also with a significant lack of rhythm that is achieved by playing. We appreciate his help and we believe that this has been a very good first step to return to competition,” he added about Rubio.
“I think it's a promising game for Ricky after such a long absence. He has a spark, a very good instinct and now he's fine, he looks good. Let's hope that these games put him in rhythm so that he can also start with his club later,” he insisted. .
Scariolo thus highlighted a Rubio who, between his last serious knee injury and the problem with his mental health, barely played in the last two years. On the other hand, the Italian coach explained that he will not take risks with Joel Parra who may have suffered a sprain.
Furthermore, the national coach recalled that they have done well without NBA or Euroleague players in other calls, but insisted that this time there were too many players without rhythm. “Even without Euroleague players it has gone well for us, because they play a lot of minutes and have come with confidence. When you put many players without space in their clubs, it is more complicated,” he concluded.