Ergin Ataman stressed that Panathinaikos should win all of their EuroLeague home games if they want to make the Final Four or the playoffs.
Coming off another EuroLeague road loss (to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan for Round 24), Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens are now focusing on their next two outings which will be held at OAKA.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens / Schedule
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul
Anadolu Efes IstanbulHolding a 14-10 record, the Greens are close to the top 4, but things can take a bad turn for the reigning champs if they don't manage to win both of their games in the double week, against Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes Istanbul.
"We have to win all the home games remaining," coach Ergin Ataman pointed out.
"That's the reality for us. If we don't make it, we forget about the Final Four or the Playoffs. We have to win."
The Turkish coach added that Fenerbahce, who are currently second in the standings with one win and one game less than leaders Olympiacos Piraeus, are in a very good condition.
"They won their last six EuroLeague games," he reminded.
"Last week, they came here and beat Olympiacos, who are first in the standings, very clearly So it's going to be a very demanding game. We have to be very aggressive, ready for a game like the one against Olympiacos two weeks ago. Our situation in the EuroLeague right now is quite critical, and we have to start the game aggressively."
Ataman clarified that Kostas Sloukas will be available, since he has been practicing with the rest of the team, despite a minor injury. On the other hand, Kostas Antetokounmpo has been ruled out, and the same goes for Marius Grigonis, Mathias Lessort and Omer Yurtseven.
"We have some major problems that people know about," Ataman commented.
"These problems have cost us on the road. Playing with aggressiveness in our home arena, we can hide some problems," he admitted.
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