Pau Ribas says it's important to get off on the right foot

Pau Ribas has had a dream summer, one in which he won the 2015 EuroBasket with the Spanish national team, as well as the MVP of the Catalan League and the Endesa Super Cup with FC Barcelona Lassa. Now with Barça Lassa while smack dab in the middle of his prime, Ribas is ready to assume a leadership role for the new-look team led by head coach Xavi Pascual. At the same time, claims the figure team player. Just before the start of the domestic league and the Euroleague, Ribas sat down with www.fcbarcelona.com to talk about the changes.

You were the last to arrive, what was the dressing room like?
"I knew a lot of people from playing against them. There's chemistry, with fun people and some quieter people, just like any other group."

What has Xavi Pascual asked of you?
"Nothing specific. He asks everyone to always try and concentrate, to give one hundred percent. He tells us that we have to be clear that playing for Barça, everyone wants to beat us. That has to be clear. If you aren't playing well, anyone can beat us."I feel comfortable in that role, to try and help everyone on the team based on what I know and believe.

At this stage of your career, do you feel like one of the team's leaders?
"I just got here ... I'm a pretty veteran player who can do several things on the court. With my experience and, above all, my character, I've always tried to help the team, to make it act in a certain way. I feel comfortable in that role, to try and help everyone on the team based on what I know and believe."

Did you expect to generate such high expectations?
"I came from the EuroBasket in shape and confident. It's normal to be in good shape. Maybe people don't expect it, but I've been working hard for years to play well, and I think I can help the team in a lot of ways. I know there are always expectations and pressure in this Club, what's important to take the right approach."

Will the MVPs in the Catalan League and the Super Cup affect the amount of pressure?
"I don't know ... I'm just going to keep trying to do what's best for the team. Some days you can do more and others less, but the most important thing is that the team plays well and wins, all that other stuff is a lot less important."I know there are always expectations and pressure in this Club, what's important to take the right approach.

What do you think you're official debut at the Palau will be like?
"I'm convinced people are excited to come after the Super Cup and how we played. CAI is a good team with good players. We need to have the Palau behind us and I think we will."

What are your expectations before the start of the league and the Euroleague?
"It's important for us to start off well. By winning. A good start can totally change a season. Everything depends on victory or defeat and we need to get off on the right foot, keep doing what we've been doing so far. Important games in the league and the Euroleague are right around the corner and we're hungry to start off well."