Anadolu Efes head coach Pablo Laso emphasized the necessity of his team’s 94-84 victory over Real Madrid in Round 2 of the EuroLeague, pointing to the need to address rebounding issues following a challenging previous campaign. Speaking at a post-match press conference at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center, Laso addressed media members after guiding his squad past the Spanish powerhouse on September 29, 2026.
“We took an important victory,” Laso said, reflecting on the bounce-back performance. He noted that despite playing basketball that dominated large stretches of their game against Barcelona, Anadolu Efes failed to secure the win, making a victory on their home floor essential. “This situation made a win mandatory at home. We put forth a significant effort. We are extremely happy.”
Realizing a New Identity and Overcoming Past Obstacles
Laso stressed that Anadolu Efes represents a new and different team this season, particularly as they look to put behind them a difficult prior year marked by injuries. While acknowledging that injuries form an inevitable part of competitive sports, the Spanish head coach maintained they should never serve as an excuse.
“Last season was difficult for us,” Laso explained. “Injuries can be a major obstacle in terms of getting what you expect from your team. Injuries are a part of sport, but not something that can be put forward as an excuse. It is necessary to analyze why last season was so difficult.”
According to Laso, three key elements defined those past struggles: creativity, athletic performance, and rebounding. Looking ahead to a competitive season, the coach committed to fixing their struggles on the glass to ensure competitiveness.
Defensive Turning Points and Tactical Philosophy
Evaluating the shifts within the contest, Laso pointed to a specific defensive sequence as the night’s definitive turning point. “The moment of the match, the breaking point, was Mike James stealing the ball from Campazzo,” Laso said. “I think that was the moment of the match. Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. I want us to have a great defense, but also a very good offense.”
Real Madrid Perspective on Late-Game Turnovers
Real Madrid head coach Pedro Martinez attributed his side’s defeat to turnovers. Martinez noted that his team executed well during the opening 13 to 14 minutes of the encounter, making correct decisions before turnovers crept into their play.
“We did the right things,” Martinez said in his post-match assessment. “Then we experienced turnovers. We gave Anadolu Efes easy basket chances. In the second half, we changed our mentality. In the last two minutes, we even got the chance to win the match with a tremendous comeback. We lost the match as a result of the turnovers we made in the final section and Anadolu Efes’ successful offense.”
The loss drops Real Madrid as they play the early rounds of the continental competition, while Anadolu Efes builds momentum at home under Laso.
