The legend of Pablo Laso on the Real Madrid bench will expand a little more this Sunday in the derby against Movistar Estudiantes, when it reaches the 734 meetings with the white club. They are the same as I directed Lolo sainz, an icon of the Madrid club and the coach with the most games behind their backs. From today he will have company at the top of that ranking. Laso, like Lolo, is Madrid.
It has been a long time since the coach from Vitoria had left Pedro Ferrndiz behind, another myth. Between the three they form the Holy Trinity of the Madrid bench. They are the ones who add the most games and who won the most titles. To each one corresponds a golden age of Madrid basketball. The two veterans had already welcomed Laso to their table. “Pablo has been part of the trio for a long time, he can get involved with Lolo and with me,” Ferrndiz said.
Laso, despite the fact that he equals Sainz’s matches this afternoon and in the first match of the Cup he will beat him, is seen behind the illustrious who made Madrid great. “I have enormous respect for them both. What they have meant for Real Madrid goes beyond the titles they won, which were many. Madrid is what it is thanks to Pedro, Lolo and their influence,” says Laso, who consider that “They are two referents far above me. I am proud to be compared with them, but it is absurd”.
I have enormous respect for Lolo Sainz and Ferrndiz. They are two referents far above me. I’m proud to be compared to them, but it’s absurd “
Pablo Laso, Real Madrid coach
The current Madrid coach in June 10 years in charge of the team, but contract ends. You can expand it throughout the season. Whoever changed the course of history undoubtedly deserves a new renewal. That decade is a feat, since it involves a bench subject to a maximum requirement and that tends to devour its tenants. Between the 1995 Euroleague title and the arrival of Laso, 11 coaches passed for Madrid.
“It is a long time. I am very proud and very happy. Having been in a club for so many years means that you have done something right “says Laso, who revitalized a very touched team after the convulsive was de Ettore Messina and that he had long since lost his niche among the European aristocracy.
The technician, connoisseur of the entity of his time as a playerFar from being swallowed up, it has become strong through titles. On his tenth project, has never finished a season of emptiness and adds 20 titles in 27 finals of 38 possible. Amazing reliability due to its continuity over time.
Having been in a club for so many years means that you will have done something right “
Pablo Laso, Real Madrid coach
Laso is to 27 wins and just two titles from two other Sainz records. Next week, in a Cup that is his fetish competition, he could place himself behind him in terms of trophies. Further away are the 27 of Ferrndiz. What legendary coaches also outperform him in winning percentage. Before, few overshadowed Madrid. Now, there are more rivals and a grueling schedule that prevents being always one hundred percent.
The white coach counts as his greatest success, above any title, have reconciled the fans with the team. Since its landing, it has always been competitive. As he likes to say, “it is recognized and recognizable”. Defense, sharing the ball, speed, happy play … Transferring to the 21st century that philosophy that Ferrndiz and Lolo already advocated, brought glory back to Madrid. White basketball would not be understood without the legends of the past. Nor without Laso, who is already at his height.
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