Serbian coach Dušan Alimpijević stated before that match that the team used the three days of rest for regeneration.
“They meant enough for us to freshen up a bit after the game, for the players to have time to rest and recover. This is not a difficult journey, so it is enough to prepare what we want for this second game, both for us and for everyone else.”he said at the beginning of the interview for Sportal.
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He also reflected on what he wants and expects from the clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It is clear that the second half against Switzerland was a benchmark, in fact, how we should look and how we should play, how the national team should play and in which direction it should play. The first half defensively was at a very bad level. That is something we must not allow, minutes like that. It must be played with good energy, better energy. We had enough time to fit both Dangubic and Dobric, so we definitely expect a different game. We also expect different opponents because, with all due respect, the match can go either way, but Bosnia is, at least on paper, a serious opponent than Switzerland. We were all once part of the same country and it will probably be a special motivation on both sides. To be honest, I don’t have any special emotion in terms of choosing opponents that way, it’s also important for me to beat each opponent.Alimpijević said.
He also explained that there are “no unknowns” with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Of course, there are people we know among them. Many of them played with our players. They are certainly more familiar to us than the Swiss players.”he added.
He added that he hoped the players felt relieved after the win against Switzerland, but that it would show on the pitch on Sunday.
“The way in which that turnaround happened is especially important. That turnaround didn’t happen by chance, but they deserved it with an aggressive defense and they fought for that turnaround, which was not easy at all. I mean, no matter what we say to the opponent, we say minus 23. So, really congratulations to them for that fighting spirit and aggressiveness, for everything they did in the second half.”says Alimpijević.
How good scouting could be done for one game?
“A very specific way of competition and system of competition, both for us and for them. So, if it was difficult for us to prepare for Bosnia, it is certainly difficult for them to prepare for Serbia. So, you have one game, a new coach, the same players, I think they have two additional players on the list for this game of ours. So, you have one game to prepare the opponent and there is nothing too much to add. Everyone will add some small detail, offensively, defensively, but in general, what is saw in the first game, there shouldn’t be too much of a difference. We know what their biggest threat is, who is the biggest threat, we know who is the engine of the team, so that’s where the focus is now.”he said.
There were some surprising results in the first round, so he reflected on that as well:
“Really, there is no fault of the players. This is a specific type of competition system. People come tired, people come from different systems, you have a very short period of adaptation. I have the impression that in these FIBA windows it is not even the quality itself that is decisive, but only the team that has adapted better in that short period of time. So, I am not surprised by these surprises, because they will continue to happen.”says Alimpijević.
Sarajevo’s Skenderija is expected to be full, which makes him happy.
“I prefer to play in full halls because it keeps everyone focused and gets the most out of the team. I’m always in favor of a full house. It’s not extra pressure for me at all. It’s extra motivation for me. After all, we’re all here and doing this because of the audience and such atmospheres. So, in my opinion, it’s extra motivation, not extra pressure at all.”he added.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia take the field on Sunday at 20:00.
(Vijesti.ba)
