After the Super Cup in Tenerife, in which Madrid took the first title of the season after coming back 19 points behind in the last 15 minutes, the two greats of Spanish basketball will debut this Sunday in the Endesa League. Barça host UCAM Murcia at the Palau (12:30 pm, Movistar Deportes) and Real Madrid, Hereda San Pablo Burgos (6:30 pm, #Vamos). The Barça coach, Sarunas Jasikevicius, recognizes that they come from some difficult days because of how they fell in the Super Cup: “The defeat was a stick. It’s been a bit tense and a bit sad week for everyone, but you have to get up ”. The coach wants to forget the immediate past and focus on the present: “The first league game is always special. It’s the first game at home and you have to control your emotions and be smart, you have to win and keep improving. UCAM Murcia put us in a lot of trouble last year with many people who are still in the squad this season and with the same coach, which makes us expect a difficult match “.
Without Hanga or Claver, but with Jokuvaitis, Laprovittola, Hayes and Sanli (The Turkish center is out on this first day, although he is almost ready to reappear) the team’s defensive systems will vary compared to last season. “I believe that we have people on the staff to cover these losses and now we have to think a little differently, reinvent ourselves, because we have enough people to do that job. “And it will also be up to the team to reinvent itself after the serious knee injury of Abrines: “At first it seemed like a small thing, but then he had to be operated quite quickly and now it’s time for everyone to take advantage of their opportunities, help the team, but we will have to do some retouching“.
Laso has the doubt of Rudy and the loss of Abalde
At Real Madrid, Pablo Laso has counted on Rudy in the last training, although the eaves is doubt against Burgos and may not play yet after spraining the medial lateral ligament in his left knee in the Super Cup. Abalde, with a muscle injury, initially continues to be absent.
“Every year it is said that the League is going to be more competitive and better players are coming. That means the League continues to grow and all the teams are very competitive. We are up against one of them, who has also had quite a few changes during the summer. We were all hoping to play with the public again and have our fans. In this case we come from winning a title. Tomorrow is the first day at home after a very long walk and in which the first thing is the return of the public to the courts”. Madrid will offer the Super Cup trophy to their fans before the game.