Chus Mateo: “I'm very pleased with the team and really proud of the job done”
“Today was an important day to strike a blow against a big rival like Barcelona,” said Llull after the victory in the first semi-final clash against Barcelona.
Chus Mateo and Sergio Llull analysed Real Madrid’s victory in the first Clásico of the Liga ACB semi-final playoffs. The coach had the following to say after the match: “We have to keep going because it's a very difficult league. We've had to juggle two very tough competitions and we've been so close to winning another European title. Now, we have to do a good job in front of our fans, who are anxious to see us together and united. That will certainly not be lacking. I'm proud of the team's effort. They always make an effort and grit their teeth. Today more so than ever. We've made an effort after coming off the back of a tough defeat like the one the other day.”
“We always feel so close to our fans. We have good days and bad days, but it's undeniable that the team always tries to do its best. Today, we were good at the back. There was a moment where Llull energised the game and had the kind of success that we're used to in games of this nature. Hopefully next time we can maintain this level. I'm very pleased with the team and really proud of the job done.”
Llull: “I tried to change the pace of the game”
“We're happy with the victory. We had to put in that intensity from the start and today we were clinical too. It's 1-0 and now we have to think about Friday. Physically I feel good and that's important to be able to contribute to the team with this energy. Today it was also thanks to our amazing fans, who never fail to fill the Palacio, giving us extra motivation and joy. We've started well and we're pleased with the victory.”
Flurry of triples
“It was a question of accuracy. I was more or less free for the first one. After that, I tried to change the rhythm of the game a bit because they were getting closer and today they went in. On Sunday in the EuroLeague final they didn't go in and today they did. That's the way sport is and that's the way we basketball players are.”
Mentality
“We all wanted to win the EuroLeague, and when the game was over, we were the first to know what we'd done wrong. And that was the end of it, that night. At the end of the day, you play for Real Madrid, you have to reach these finals. In sport, sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. We weren't good on Sunday but we knew that today was an important day to strike a blow against a big rival like Barcelona.”