With a record of 1:4 in the EuroLeague, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv will look to get back to its winning ways against the reigning champs Real Madrid. Without Black and Pargo coach Spahija's squad are locked and loaded as they have Madrid on their sights knowing they cannot afford to lose this game that will be broadcasted live on Sport5 21:05 local.
"Real Madrid, with the way they are playing now are the best team in Europe, their numbers are really impressive", said Coach Spahija. "We're going to always prefer to put them in difficulty and to play better defense to not let them score that much and try to compete in front of our fans and their amazing support that we have all the time and try to win. We were very close against CSKA, unfortunately we didn't win but tomorrow is our second opportunity in front of our fans in Menora and let's try to do it. I don't think we have a problem of attitude or stepping up against any team, that means that sometimes it's better sometimes it's worst but definitely I trust the players, their attitude, their work ethic and I believe that they can do it".
"Real Madrid comes here laying very good basketball", said Michael Roll before the game against Los Blancos. "Obviously they are a very good team, they have experience together, they've been playing with each other for seems like 20 years so it's gonna be a tough test for us we really gotta come focused and really just play hard and fight so it's going to be a fun game and it's going to be a good show to the fans. It takes a group effort everybody, from the first guy on the court to the last, we all have to do a little bit extra we all have to give a little bit more on the floor and come with more energy. We really gotta focus in trying to take some of the small X's that they are doing so well, if we're able to do that I'm comfortable".
When asked about inner conversations in order to prevent somewhat of a bad season Roll replied: "Minus the Barcelona game we've been one or two possessions away from every game, some very good teams on the road, if we maybe play them later when we're clicking a little bit more and understand each other a little bit better maybe we'll take those games, it's a great learning experience for us, we did a lot of things well and as long we keep practicing and improving it's only going to be up from here".
"They won the EuroLeague last year so it's gonna be tough", said Angelo Caloiaro. "We gotta come out with a lot of energy. I feel like in a club like this you're always going to feel and expect like you want to win so game by game you're going to take it upon yourself. We got a team and we always want to go out there and win every game. We have been struggling a little bit, we've been practicing well so we will continue to work and should be fine".
"Real Madrid, with the way they are playing now are the best team in Europe, their numbers are really impressive", said Coach Spahija. "We're going to always prefer to put them in difficulty and to play better defense to not let them score that much and try to compete in front of our fans and their amazing support that we have all the time and try to win. We were very close against CSKA, unfortunately we didn't win but tomorrow is our second opportunity in front of our fans in Menora and let's try to do it. I don't think we have a problem of attitude or stepping up against any team, that means that sometimes it's better sometimes it's worst but definitely I trust the players, their attitude, their work ethic and I believe that they can do it".
"Real Madrid comes here laying very good basketball", said Michael Roll before the game against Los Blancos. "Obviously they are a very good team, they have experience together, they've been playing with each other for seems like 20 years so it's gonna be a tough test for us we really gotta come focused and really just play hard and fight so it's going to be a fun game and it's going to be a good show to the fans. It takes a group effort everybody, from the first guy on the court to the last, we all have to do a little bit extra we all have to give a little bit more on the floor and come with more energy. We really gotta focus in trying to take some of the small X's that they are doing so well, if we're able to do that I'm comfortable".
When asked about inner conversations in order to prevent somewhat of a bad season Roll replied: "Minus the Barcelona game we've been one or two possessions away from every game, some very good teams on the road, if we maybe play them later when we're clicking a little bit more and understand each other a little bit better maybe we'll take those games, it's a great learning experience for us, we did a lot of things well and as long we keep practicing and improving it's only going to be up from here".
"They won the EuroLeague last year so it's gonna be tough", said Angelo Caloiaro. "We gotta come out with a lot of energy. I feel like in a club like this you're always going to feel and expect like you want to win so game by game you're going to take it upon yourself. We got a team and we always want to go out there and win every game. We have been struggling a little bit, we've been practicing well so we will continue to work and should be fine".