Ergin Ataman addressed the media before Panathinaikos AKTOR's departure to Barcelona, where they will face FC Barcelona on Wednesday night, January 15.
The head coach of Panathinaikos stated:
"We are very aware of the team's history. However, I am focused solely on this game; what happened in the past doesn’t matter. It will undoubtedly be a tough game. So far, Barcelona has shown a lot of ups and downs, but last week they secured an important victory in Monaco. Playing at home gives them extra confidence, and they’ll approach the game aggressively. We know them well as a team. We are in good form and will aim to play solid basketball, aggressive defense, and secure the win because we understand the importance of this game."
When asked about Lorenzo Brown and Omer Yurtseven's status, he replied:
"Both are in good condition now. They’ve trained with the team, and I believe they will be available tomorrow."
Regarding Barcelona's biggest threat:
"They have excellent guards. Kevin Punter is their top scorer, but in their last game, we saw Dario Brizuela deliver a standout performance, especially against Monaco. Jabari Parker is another influential offensive player. This game is different from the one at OAKA because now they also have Chimezie Metu. Overall, they are a strong team with a solid roster and are contenders for the Final Four. It's crucial for us to play aggressive defense, deny them easy points, and avoid mistakes on offense. These are the keys to the game."
On Panathinaikos' five-game winning streak:
"We’ve played very well in our last five EuroLeague games. However, every game is different. Daily performance matters. Our focus must be on the first game of the week. A win or loss in Barcelona is possible. We must then prepare for the second game because every result impacts the standings. Our past games have boosted our confidence, but we need to be ready because the matchup with FC Barcelona will be tough. Remember, we only won by one point at OAKA."
On Cedi Osman:
"He played well and regained his confidence. There’s no doubt about the quality of the players; that's evident. However, after many years in the NBA, adapting to the EuroLeague takes time. He contributed significantly on both ends of the court. It’s essential for him to keep performing at this level because we’re missing Marius Grigonis, who was a key player last year. Now, we’re using Cedi Osman in a similar role."
Gabriel: "We can win anywhere"
Wenyen Gabriel spoke to reporters ahead of Panathinaikos AKTOR's away clash with FC Barcelona. The forward shared his thoughts:
"I know we have a very strong team. It may have been twelve years since our last win there, but I truly feel we can win anywhere. That’s our goal.
Every day, I’m adapting better. I’ve had more practices with the team, played more games, and everything is improving day by day. At the end of the day, it’s all about basketball.
We have a lot of talent. This team won the EuroLeague title last year and retained its core. For my part, I’m just trying to do whatever is needed to help the team win—whether it’s scoring or playing defense. It’s going to be a tough battle.
You can feel how much the club wants to win the title. There’s this energy, this champion’s mentality—it’s everywhere. Everyone is focused on that goal! So, we’re taking it step by step."
