After Real Madrid's collapse, Scariolo comments on his future at the club

Real Madrid's coach, S. Scariolo, offered a candid assessment of his team's season, noting a dramatic split between their performance in Spain and in Europe. He described two distinct teams: one that dominated the Spanish league and came close to a EuroLeague title, and another that struggled to find balance, particularly in defense.

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Obviously, we were two completely different teams. One that dominated Spain with its full roster and was seconds away from the EuroLeague title, and another that couldn't find balance, especially in defense.

Scariolo pointed to the unusual circumstance of three key players in the same position suffering injuries, which significantly impacted the team's effectiveness. He expressed personal disappointment, stating that his teams are typically known for their strong defense, an area where Real Madrid faltered in the last month. The coach divided the season into two parts: dominance until the EuroLeague Final Four, followed by a negative balance from that point onward.

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It's difficult when three players in the same position get injured; it's very unusual. Our defensive efficiency hasn't been adequate in the last month. This needs to be understood. It hurts me because my teams have always been among the best defensively.

Reflecting on the lessons learned, Scariolo admitted his own shortcomings as a coach, recognizing that he failed to rally the team after their EuroLeague Final Four appearance. This led to a sharp decline in performance, culminating in three consecutive losses and a drastically altered season outlook. When asked about his future with Real Madrid, Scariolo confirmed his three-year contract, directing further inquiries to the club's management. The team concluded the season without any titles, having reached the finals of the EuroLeague, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa, and falling in the ACB league quarterfinals.

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The lesson is that good work can get you to be the second-best team in Europe, but three consecutive losses and the picture changes drastically. We failed to mobilize, and I, as a coach, admit that I failed. I will analyze this when I have more time.