Sekulic demands iron defense against Efes in Euroleague

Aleksander Sekulic used his first press conference in a Euroleague preview to establish a clear diagnosis of Barça's situation. The defeat in the Supercopa Endesa against Joventut Badalona is not just an initial stumble but a lesson that should serve as a starting point to correct structural errors, especially in the defensive aspect. The Slovenian coach will face an Anadolu Efes that represents the level of competition awaiting him in the top continental competition, with a team in the making that needs to expedite its development.

The defensive fragility was starkly exposed when Barça conceded 101 points against the green and black team. For Sekulic, the response must be immediate and cannot be delayed. "We need a reaction, especially in energy and intensity on defense," said the Barça coach, emphasizing that this is the priority area to work on ahead of their European debut.

A long season with inevitable ups and downs

The Slovenian coach was realistic about the impact of a bad result at the beginning of a campaign that he considers very lengthy. Sekulic downplayed the significance of the defeat to Joventut, emphasizing that any season presents fluctuations, just as individual games have their moments. What will truly define the team is its ability to maintain cohesion when difficulties arise. "Every season has its ups and downs, just like a game has its ups and downs. What will show what kind of character and bond we have will be that when hard times come, we find a way to stick together and overcome challenges together," he explained.

With a season that extends over six or seven months and multiple challenges ahead, Sekulic believes that Barça can be defined by how it manages these complicated moments. His conviction is that the team has the capacity to do well, although he acknowledges that there are many games and obstacles to overcome before reaching the established goals.

Lessons from the Supercopa: Laprovittola and Rubio

The defeat against Joventut provided concrete lessons that will be applicable in the Euroleague. Sekulic particularly highlighted the offensive impact of Nicolás Laprovittola, who had an extraordinary game and was a key piece in the green and black attack. The influence of Ricky Rubio on the Badalona team's game also left a mark, with Laprovittola making important shots that posed a significant challenge for the Barça defense.

“Lapro had an incredible game. He was a very important part of their offense. They also gained a lot of confidence with Ricky, and Lapro made important shots. That put our defense under a great challenge. We learned a lot from this," the coach noted. This analysis is not merely retrospective; Sekulic considers it a valuable lesson because in the Euroleague he will encounter players of similar caliber. “It's something we will encounter in the Euroleague, players of this quality, and it was a good lesson on how to face this type of player.”

Anadolu Efes: a playoff-designed rival

Anadolu Efes is not just any rival at the start of the European campaign. Sekulic is aware that he is facing a team built specifically to compete in the playoffs, equipped with a roster full of talent, experience, and athleticism. "Efes is built to play, at the very least, the playoffs. They have a roster with a lot of talent, experience, and athleticism," the Barça coach pointed out.

The offensive capability of the Turkish team is remarkable, with multiple attacking tools and a highly renowned coach. Sekulic acknowledges that defending against Efes presents significant challenges. "They have a lot of tools on offense and a great coach. It's very difficult to defend against them. We will need to focus on team defense. That has to be much better," he stated, making it clear that substantial improvement in this area is necessary.

Tosan Evbuomwan will not be available for this match, a loss that complicates the coach's plans. Although the player is progressing in his recovery, Sekulic was clear: "He is working, he is making progress, but it's day by day. He will definitely not be available for this match, and I don't know when he will be."

The Palau as a determining factor

Sekulic hopes the Palau Blaugrana will be an additional element in favor of the team during the European debut. The energy of the fans can be decisive in such an important match against a team of indisputable quality. "I can't wait to feel the energy of the Palau Blaugrana. I hope we have the arena full, as many fans as possible at this start of the season. The energy they can transmit to us can help us a lot in this very important match against a high-quality team," expressed the coach.

Although Barça operates with budget constraints compared to other teams in the competition, the expectations placed on the club are inherently high. Sekulic is aware of this and takes on the commitment that comes with coaching at such an institution. "Every team has high expectations. Being at Barça, they are high, and we will have to live up to them," the Slovenian coach acknowledged.

Season goals: identity and playoffs

Beyond immediate results, Sekulic places the construction of a recognizable identity as one of the main goals of the season. For the coach, the greatest achievement would be for the team to develop a style of play that is identifiable and consistent. "For me, the greatest achievement this season would be to play in a way that everyone can recognize our style," he explained.

The Euroleague playoffs are part of Barça's aspirations, although Sekulic avoids turning this goal into a guarantee or prediction. He acknowledges that reaching the knockout stage depends on multiple factors outside the team's control, including the performance of rivals, injuries, and the length of a season that spans several months. "The playoffs are a main objective, but it's hard to say. It depends on other teams, injuries... It's a six or seven-month season and there are many factors," concluded the Barça coach.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sekulic exige defensa de hierro ante el Efes en Euroliga