Chus Mateo: "We have to make our home-court advantage count"
“We're really looking forward to the start and we'll try to extend our winning run as long as possible,” said Hugo González.
Chus Mateo and Hugo González spoke in the press conference ahead of the play-off quarter-final between Real Madrid and Baskonia. The coach discussed the clash that will be played at the Movistar Arena (Tuesday, 7 pm CEST): “We're up against a very dangerous team, with huge offensive capacity and with a lot of talent among all their players. Tomorrow, everything we have fought for in the Regular Season begins. We have to make our home-court advantage count, which has to drive us in a short playoff. This game is absolutely crucial.”
“We'd be making a mistake if we thought it was a Laso-Chus Mateo showdown, because these are two teams that play very good basketball. We have to analyse our opponents well and see where the game is going. We have to perform very well to beat Baskonia.”
Musa and Deck
“The first one is already available for tomorrow's game. The second has been ruled out. I don't know about the play-offs, for the moment he hasn't fully recovered and we'll have to see what is decided.”
How is the team approaching the play-offs after the winning run you have been on?
“Someone is always a favourite. Here we always set that aside. We've been through so many things that we shouldn't make judgements beforehand. If we can perform well, we're going to win.”
What type of game are you expecting?
“Baskonia are a team with plenty of offensive ability and we have to try to control all their offensive variables. They play quickly and have the ability to break in one-on-ones. We have to try to stop them and find our offensive options, which we also have. I think it's going to be a tough, long, even game and we're going to have to be mature to win. Without any haste and with patience.”
Hugo González: “It's important to focus on the first match”
“We're really looking forward to this fresh challenge. We've been waiting for this moment since the final stages. It'll be a tough and intense game. Baskonia are in very good form. They have made a huge surge at the end of the Regular Season. We expect a back-and-forth game. They've made things difficult for us in the four games we've played this season.”
“It's a short series and the important thing is to focus on the first game. We have to be solid as a team, as we've shown. We can't think about the second game, only about winning at the Palacio. We want to continue to extend the streak as long as we can. That means winning tomorrow. When we play at home, we're much stronger. The fans help us to get victories when it gets difficult and tomorrow will be another of those days.”