Photo: EuroLeague

Barcelona returned on the court last week, after almost two months without basketball. The players started with individual sessions under strict guidelines.

Pierre Oriola, the Catalan club’s center, talked on the two-month break and the impact it had on the players’ physical condition.

“Physically it shows two months of standing still. At home, we followed the team’s plan, but it is complicated and different from what we do on the court. My feeling is that it seemed as if I was retired because it was difficult for me to run, to shoot for the basket… but little by little we will recover the ‘feeling’ and the form,” the 27-year-old forward said, per Barcelona’s official website, via Eurohoops. “It surprised me, I scored the first shots, but after five shots I was drowned. I did not lose the touch and I was surprised, but at the physical and rhythm level I felt like a retired player.”

As for Svetislav Pesic, Oriola noted that the veteran coach (70 years old) cannot be around all the time for safety reasons.

“We keep our distance, he cannot stay for the 100% of the training, but he wanted to see us, to train and control us so that we are in shape,” Oriola said.

Furthermore, the Spanish center talked about a possible season return, saying “everyone’s main concern is health” at this time.

I am not the person who decides, but everyone’s main concern is health. Now basketball and money do not matter, but our health, and that of the family members. If all the measurements are correct and we can get ahead, perfect.”