"Let’s stick together, don’t look for alibis": Cotelli lashes his boys

It only took 40 minutes for the court factor that Germani Brescia had secured with a top regular season. Trieste was much better in the first playoff challenge at the PalaLeonessa and is deservedly ahead in the series.Matteo Cotelli, the Lombardi’s coach, knows that if the tie doesn’t come on Monday the situation would become dramatic sportingly speaking.

“In game 1 we had too soft an approach to the challenge, allowing Trieste to gain confidence on offense and conceding them, in the first part of the game, 59 points – he observes -. We adapted to their tendency, suffering their offensive potential. Therefore, in game 2, we will necessarily have to be more ready and focused from the contest, immediately trying to impose our pace of play. We have to stay united, without looking for blame or alibis.”

“We knew that, within the series, there could be some difficult moments,” Cotelli added. “However, we have to aim above our strengths, the ones that allowed us to accomplish a high-level season and make it to the playoffs, such as our connection and fundamentals, both technical and tactical. Our great team attitude, which remains the basis of our basketball, as well as some individuality, has not been seen. This will be the main key. If we regain the team attitude, much of the work is accomplished.”