Chus Mateo: “We're focused on Baskonia and we're not thinking about Sunday's Clásico”

Chus Mateo spoke ahead of the Real Madrid-Baskonia match, which will be played at the WiZink Center (Friday, 8.30pm CEST). The coach had the following to say on the penultimate round of the EuroLeague Regular Season: “Baskonia are always a very tough and competitive team, who pose a lot of danger and have good players. For us, the standings are unmoveable and we're just trying to evaluate the game so that it helps us to improve and then we'll be ready to compete in the playoffs. We're expecting a very hungry side because they need to win. We're focused on Baskonia and we haven't thought about the game at the weekend. Obviously, there's not much time when playing on Friday and Sunday, but we'll try to do things well one step at a time.”
 
“With the new play-in format it has become a bit more difficult but we're leaders and we're going to end this way. We accepted the rules of the game from the beginning of the season and that's the way it is. It means that no matter who we play, we have to be ready because all the EuroLeague teams are very tough. Our sights are set on the playoffs. The standings are of no importance to us, but we'd be doing ourselves a disservice if we underestimated what is left.”
 
Injury update
“Hezonja didn't train on the first day of the week but he did these last few days. Llull had a slight strain and didn't train and Alocén has had some physical problems and we had to give him some rest. With the exception of Diagné, they are all ok.”
 
Reception with Felipe VI
“I'd like to return at the end of the season and be able to showcase it again but I don't want to think about it. I love the fact that we can boast about a trophy that's so hard to win, and that King Felipe VI can receive us as warmly as he did yesterday, for us and for all madridistas, it's a very nice thing. It's a way of recognising the importance of a title that has been won with a lot of effort.”