Following a tough loss to Real Madrid in the EuroLeague, Fenerbahce’s coach, Sarunas Jasikevicius, shared his thoughts on the team’s performance. He pointed out that the issues go deeper than just gameplay, highlighting a need for a change in attitude.
In his post-game comments, Jasikevicius calmly explained that the team’s problems are not about tactics but about their professional mindset and motivation. He believes the team is struggling to cope with their recent success, which has affected their performance on the court.
🤔 A Lack of Professionalism
Jasikevicius expressed his disappointment with the team’s effort, especially in the first half, describing it as “terrible.” He was worried that the players were not behaving like professional athletes. “Frankly, I don’t care about the basketball we played because we weren’t performing well on the court,” he said, emphasizing that the team’s attitude is his main concern.
🏆 Struggling with Success
The coach suggested that the team’s recent achievements might be the cause of their current slump. “It’s as if we can’t handle the success we’ve achieved so far,” he remarked. He noted that since the season began, maintaining motivation has been a constant conversation. “We look terrible on the court right now,” he added, pointing to an urgent need for improvement.
🧘♂️ The Champion’s Mindset
Jasikevicius stressed the importance of humility and consistency. He believes that to be a champion, a team must act like one every day, not just on good days. “When things go wrong in some matches, we suddenly stop playing; a championship team shouldn’t do that,” he explained. While he acknowledged that the season is long and things will eventually get better, he made it clear that their current approach is not working.
🔄 Transfers Are Not the Answer
When asked about bringing in new players to strengthen the team, Jasikevicius was doubtful that it would solve the core problem. He mentioned that many other EuroLeague teams are also looking for new players, making it a difficult market. “How much better can transfers improve the team? I have some doubts about that,” he concluded, suggesting that the solution must come from within the current squad.
