Alba Berlin is going through a difficult phase. The team lacks the rhythm. “We don’t have good momentum right now. Both mentally and physically. There is a lack of self-confidence. It’s currently frustrating for the team », said sports director Himar Ojeda after the clear 72:90 defeat at Real Madrid on Thursday evening.
For Alba it was already the fifth Euroleague defeat in a row. “We are now paying a little the price for the effort of the last few weeks without the injured players,” said the Spaniard. Since the beginning of the season, Berlin has been worried about injuries.
“If a player comes back, another one suddenly falls out. That doesn’t leave the team unaffected,” emphasized Ojeda. National player Maodo Lo was back against Real, but there was a new injury in captain Luke Sikma. His downtime is still open. “But it doesn’t look like he’s going to be super long. But who knows,” said Ojeda.
However, there is not much time to ponder. On Sunday, things will continue at home in the basketball Bundesliga against the MHP giants Ludwigsburg (6 p.m. / Magentasport). Then the Berliners want to get their much-needed sense of achievement. But Ojeda expects another difficult task. “They are a tough and solid team, so it won’t get any easier for us,” warned the sporting director.
In addition, Ludwigsburg is lurking in the table just behind the second-placed Berliners. “They are again a team for the playoffs,” said national player Johannes Thiemann. Alba also expects a very physically active opponent under the new coach Josh King. “I think the style is similar. They will continue to defend aggressively and press a lot, »said ex-Ludwigsburg Thiemann.
