The captain of Barça, Alex Abrines (Palma, 1993), explains in an interview with Efe that this course “It has cost“getting used to his role in the team, since he has had to focus more on defensive work and has arranged less launches per game, something that has reduced his confidence in the shot.
“In a match I can get four shots only to the counterattack, and the next one may not have any. It is difficult to maintain confidence if you throw a lot one day and the next. It costs to take pace of anstation when you are two or three games in which the ball does not arrive, or the only shot you throw, “the eaves acknowledges.
Warmwhich records its lowest average of points per game and success in triples (4.9 and 34% in the Endesa League; 4.5 and 38% in the Euroleague) Since his return from the NBA in 2019, he says he tries “win that confidence in other aspects, such as defense and rebound“To have the necessary security and write down when the occasion comes.
Adaptation to a more defensive role
The eaves admits that his season, like the team, has had “Many ups and downs“, and regrets that the loss of Nico Laprovittola, a base that”helped a lot in attack“And of which”He always took a couple of shots per game“He has not benefited him either.” Although that is not an excuse. I should have put more, “he says.
However, Abrines argues that the Argentine's injury caused a domino effect on the squad: “It has cost me to get used to the role. With Lapro's decline, other more scorers, such as Punter and Brizuela, have assumed their role. My function has changed a bit, of being a shooter to a more defensive role, which I have been perfecting in recent years. “
The Balearic, which is defined as “A humble uncle who always tries to do the best for the team“He clarifies that he does not” matter “that he is” demanding to defend more “when Barça has players” with as many points in the hands as Brizuela, Pinter and Parker. “
The relationship with Peñarroya
The Barca captain explains that coach Joan Peñarroya suggests that “Look for other ways to write down“Beyond triple.”It tells me that the offensive rebound or a door ago attacks more“He reports.
And add: “I know he is trying to draw some shooter play for me, get a little more involved in attack. He knows that I am doing a good job in defense, but also that in attack I can give much more. “
Abrines admits that “it has not been an easy season” for the coach, which in his opinion “has done a good job“, but he prefers not to comment on whether he should continue the next course:”The work of choosing who is on the bench is not mine. My opinion should be for me. With which I am, I will go to the end. “
Also, when asked about the fact of having had three different technicians in three years, he acknowledges that “There is some stability, but in a club like Barça, if you don't earn, the first to fall is the coach and then four or five players“.
Play with Barça beyond 2026
After ten seasons as Barca, Abrines ends contract in 2026 and his intention is to extend it beyond that date -“I don't know what will happen, but I'm very comfortable here“, he says-, although he prefers to initiate the conversations with the club once this year ends.
The eaves, who will turn 32 in August, says he lives “A moment of maturity“And, despite admitting that”Start to be around withdrawal“He emphasizes that he is” physically well. “
And after ten courses in the Palau Blaugrana, it is clear what are the coaches that have most influenced him: “It is difficult to keep one, but by titles I would say saras (Jasikevicius). With Xavi Pascual we also won some titles. They are the two trainers who have the most name, They have demonstrated for many years that they are in the Top-5 or Top-10 of Europe. The two stood out above all tactically, with slate plays and defensive systems. “
An “atypical” course for injuries
Mallorcan describes the “atypical” season for the multiple injuries that have diminished team performance throughout the year, although it prefers not to put “excuses” To explain the elimination in the quarterfinals of the Euroleague at the hands of Monaco After falling through a point (85-84) in the fifth and last game of the series.
“We could not close the tie for a point and I personally tell it as a failure“, says the Barca Captain, who adds that all the energy is started from now on the qualifiers for the title of the Endesa League.
“We are Barça, we point to the highest. No matter the players that we are and what is happening in the team. The goal here is always to win, “recalls Abrines, who, however, emphasizes that it will not be easy because in the quarterfinals the rival could be the Unicaja or Valencia Basket, which will also have the track factor in favor.
To Warmthe minutes of minutes of many players have increased due to injuries, which, in their opinion, causes them to arrive “a little more touched“To this section of the season.”In the end, the few we are, if we have to play thirty minuteswe have to prepare, “he argues.
Any signing would have helped
Warm He has also been in contact throughout the course with the sports direction and the board, especially when the club recruited the Raúl Neto bases, which only played two rats due to muscle injuries, and Thomas Heurtelaborted operation for the rejection of the fans.
“Raúl arrived (net) and did not go well. Then, with the options that were considered, everything that could go wrong, went wrong. When you see that they are not going to bring anyone else, it would have helped us a lot any player who had come. But the reality is what is and they (the directive) will have their reasons for not having brought anyone else, “he remarks.
And it is that the Barca Captain has recalled that playing at Barça implies doing it without excuses: “It doesn't matter if we are seven or twelve players, since we can compete from you against any team. We simply have to give everything on the track “
