Chus Mateo: “The Clásico is always a special and exciting game”
"The team is playing better, it's working in a different manner and we have to push for everything", Hezonja said.
Chus Mateo and Mario Hezonja both spoke to the media ahead of the Euroleague Clásico, which will be played this Thursday at the Palau Blaugrana (8:45pm CET). The coach spoke about the round 12 match: "It's always a special and exciting game when you play against Barcelona. The team has to realise that it can help us to improve. It comes at an opportune moment, regardless of the schedule, because we are excited and keen to win this game".
"Getting our first away game would be a good starting point, but it's a long season and we have to focus on the day-to-day. The journey will be different from other years. We have to detach ourselves from certain emotions if we win or lose. When round 34 comes, you must be at the top of the table to play in the playoffs. That's the objective. We want to start a run of away wins at the Palau".
Roster
"We've got 13 players now and it's an ideal situation because we've had a lot of setbacks so far this season. That's going to make us stronger. Whatever happens, regardless of whether people come in or not, we're going to keep competing. We feel that we're going to get better and better".
Opponent
"Barcelona are always a great opponent, a team that will always be in the top positions in the league and Euroleague. They've got great players. They play a very fluid offence, they shoot very well from the outside, their power forwards know their role and they have assembled a good team. They have also been affected by injuries. It's going to be a good game, two teams that want to improve".
Hezonja: "We'll have to control their rebounding"
"We're training very well. Before the short international break, we beat Alba Berlin and the team has had time to recover. The Euroleague is back with a big game in Barcelona. The two teams are similar this year, but it's a game that starts 0-0 and it's very important for us to keep climbing up the standings".
"They're a very physical team and we'll have to control their offensive rebounding, which is a priority for us. We're playing better than we were at the beginning when we didn't know each other so well, and it's noticeable that we're playing better together. Our team is working in a different, more positive manner and we have to improve and push for everything".