Chus Mateo: “I hope we can get off to a good start at home in the EuroLeague'
“We have to put on a disciplined display and be consistent in order to beat Zalgiris,' said Tavares.
Chus Mateo and Walter Tavares spoke to the press on the eve of Real Madrid vs. Zalgiris Kaunas on EuroLeague matchday three. Our coach discussed the clash at the WiZink Center Tuesday, 8:45pm CEST: “We need to keep in mind that this game won't be won inside 10 minutes. It's going to be a long match and we have to be prepared to fight in every minute. We'll have to be smart and keep cool heads if we're going to win these games. The level is extremely high in the EuroLeague. I hope we can get off to a strong start at home.'
“Zalgiris have won both of their games, against Crvena zvezda and Virtus Bolonia, and I'm sure we'll have to work hard in this game until the very end. They have a wealth of resources, top class players with experience in the EuroLeague. They have centers who can really open out and players on the outside who are strong under the post and on the offensive rebound. Playing against a team with such high levels of intensity will force us to have our wits about us. It's going to be a tough match and we have to stay switched on for the full 40 minutes.'
Unbeaten
“That gives us faith in what we're doing and how we play. The dynamic is always good around here and we have to make the most of it. We're playing at a good level and that's an indication of what you can achieve if you do things right. I always go back to the fact that a season is a tough, long-run thing and a team's capabilities come through in the most difficult moments. Yesterday we managed to come through after that first quarter. We have to keep this up and be ready for anything. We'll stay focused and I hope we can keep performing at this level but lots of things can happen over the course of a season.'
“Zalgiris have won both of their games, against Crvena zvezda and Virtus Bolonia, and I'm sure we'll have to work hard in this game until the very end. They have a wealth of resources, top class players with experience in the EuroLeague. They have centers who can really open out and players on the outside who are strong under the post and on the offensive rebound. Playing against a team with such high levels of intensity will force us to have our wits about us. It's going to be a tough match and we have to stay switched on for the full 40 minutes.'
Unbeaten
“That gives us faith in what we're doing and how we play. The dynamic is always good around here and we have to make the most of it. We're playing at a good level and that's an indication of what you can achieve if you do things right. I always go back to the fact that a season is a tough, long-run thing and a team's capabilities come through in the most difficult moments. Yesterday we managed to come through after that first quarter. We have to keep this up and be ready for anything. We'll stay focused and I hope we can keep performing at this level but lots of things can happen over the course of a season.'
Three games a week
“We have to keep the guys fresh so they can perform on match day. The schedule is what it is and we have to adapt to it. This load of games is not easy to deal with but in terms of commitment, focus and effort, I simply cannot fault this team.'
Squad
“It's absolutely possible that Rudy will get some game time against Zalgiris. We're all available except Abalde, who has a calf issue, and Alocén, who is still recovering. The rest are ready for selection.'
Tavares: “We're expecting a hard-fought game”
“They're a tough team to beat, both at home and on the road, so we're expecting a hard-fought game. They will fight until the last second and we have to put on a disciplined display and be consistent if we want to get off to a winning start at home.'
Key elements of the clash
“Our consistency will be a big one. We have to be aware we'll have tough spells during the game and we must recover from them. Winning games gives you confidence and stability but that can come to a halt at any time. We have to focus on winning as many games as possible to put ourselves in a good position going into the closing stretch.'
“We have to keep the guys fresh so they can perform on match day. The schedule is what it is and we have to adapt to it. This load of games is not easy to deal with but in terms of commitment, focus and effort, I simply cannot fault this team.'
Squad
“It's absolutely possible that Rudy will get some game time against Zalgiris. We're all available except Abalde, who has a calf issue, and Alocén, who is still recovering. The rest are ready for selection.'
Tavares: “We're expecting a hard-fought game”
“They're a tough team to beat, both at home and on the road, so we're expecting a hard-fought game. They will fight until the last second and we have to put on a disciplined display and be consistent if we want to get off to a winning start at home.'
Key elements of the clash
“Our consistency will be a big one. We have to be aware we'll have tough spells during the game and we must recover from them. Winning games gives you confidence and stability but that can come to a halt at any time. We have to focus on winning as many games as possible to put ourselves in a good position going into the closing stretch.'