Chus Mateo: "We have to be focused and know that it will be a long and tough match"
"We can't allow them any hint of belief that they'll be alive in the series", said the coach ahead of his team’s third semi-final clash against Unicaja (Sunday, 5 pm CEST)
Chus Mateo spoke to Realmadrid TV ahead of the third game of the Liga ACB play-off semi-final series against Unicaja, which will be played at the Palacio José Mª Martín Carpena in Malaga (Sunday, 5 pm CEST). The coach had this to say: “The team is focused. We know what we have in front of us, that they are a top-class side, who play very well and are very well drilled. They have a lot of tactical strength and great athletic ability. They have 14 top-level players and any one of them can come in."
“They bring a very physical element and fast tempo to the game. We know that now the scenario changes and that we're going to play on a court where it's never been easy to win. We have to be focused and know that it will be a long and tough match.”
Chances of the series dragging on
“In the play-offs, everyone has a chance until it's over. We can't allow them any hint of belief that they'll be alive in the series again. Unicaja are capable of coming back and we have to be prepared for any scenario, even to return to Madrid for a fifth game.”