Sergey Karasev: “Everyone is ready to step out there and compete”
— Tell us how practices are going under the new head coach.
— Practices have been really good, very intense. Everyone is competing, everyone is getting tired — that’s exactly what we need right now. Battling hard, including in practice. Of course, we prepare for the opponent, but first and foremost we’re focused on improving our own game: intensity and aggression, both offensively and defensively. Preparation is going very well. Everyone is ready to step out there and compete.
— How do you slow down Egor Ryzhov, who’s been in great form lately?
— By playing aggressively and not giving him space on the floor. The most important thing is for us to start playing aggressively ourselves. From the opening minutes, we need to show that this is our court and our fans. We have to come out with maximum aggression right away.
— What makes Enisey dangerous first and foremost?
— Their transition game, aggressive offense, and good ball movement. They take a lot of three-pointers. Tasić and Egor are very effective around the basket, and Tasić is also aggressive from the perimeter. It’s a very balanced, solid team. We lost to them in Krasnoyarsk, so at the very least we need to bounce back and deliver a strong performance in front of our home crowd.
— The game against Samara was attended by 4,500 fans. Do you expect an even bigger crowd this time?
— We play so that people come out, support us, and give us energy. With every game, we want more and more fans in the stands. It was great to see so many people on Sunday. Hopefully, there will be even more at the game against Krasnoyarsk. We really need your support.
