Chus Mateo: “It was a huge effort from all the players”
“We knew we had to be focused and play our best to win the game”, said Tavares.
Chus Mateo, Tavares, Williams-Goss and Hezonja analysed Madrid’s victory in Belgrade in the third EuroLeague playoff match. The coach was pleased with his side’s performance: “We were not very focused and not very consistent in defence at the start of the game, probably because of what had happened before and due to the great basketball atmosphere in the Stark Arena. We made a lot of mistakes at the beginning, but we got back into the game by using pick-and-rolls with Tavares, playing inside with him, which gave us an advantage, and by shifting the defence. In the final stretch, we remained calm and we had good shooting percentages.”
“It was a huge effort from all the players and I'm delighted with the victory. We're still a long way from getting back to Madrid but it's the first step. It's not easy to win here and we played decisively. Now, we want to win the fourth to force the final game.”
Defence
“Partizan do a lot of damage with their breakaways. We decided to protect that and we did that well. We fought together and I'm pleased. We knew it was going to be a very tough game until the end. We needed to overcome the tough moments.”
Praise for the team
“Williams-Goss has been playing really well this season but he's had a lot of injuries. I try to talk about the team, who made a tremendous effort today. All the players have contributed like Hezonja, Llull, Musa, Sergio Rodríguez. All of them are important in addition to what they give as individuals. We played as a team.”
Tavares: “I’m feeling good”
“It's one of the toughest arenas in Europe and we knew we had to be focused and play our best to win the game. Now we have to focus on the next one, which will be tougher than this one. We have to recover as best as we can to play in two days' time.”
“It was a huge effort from all the players and I'm delighted with the victory. We're still a long way from getting back to Madrid but it's the first step. It's not easy to win here and we played decisively. Now, we want to win the fourth to force the final game.”
Defence
“Partizan do a lot of damage with their breakaways. We decided to protect that and we did that well. We fought together and I'm pleased. We knew it was going to be a very tough game until the end. We needed to overcome the tough moments.”
Praise for the team
“Williams-Goss has been playing really well this season but he's had a lot of injuries. I try to talk about the team, who made a tremendous effort today. All the players have contributed like Hezonja, Llull, Musa, Sergio Rodríguez. All of them are important in addition to what they give as individuals. We played as a team.”
Tavares: “I’m feeling good”
“It's one of the toughest arenas in Europe and we knew we had to be focused and play our best to win the game. Now we have to focus on the next one, which will be tougher than this one. We have to recover as best as we can to play in two days' time.”
Individual assessment
'I feel great, you always feel good after a win. I’m tired but you always rest better after a victory. I’ve done everything in power to get back playing. I’m not feeling much pain and I hope I’ll be alright for the next game. I’ve tried to work on my recovery with the physio, he’s really helped me to get back as quickly as possible.”
Williams-Goss: “We’re focused on taking a second win”
'We came here and were faced with a tough atmosphere and a great team. Now we have one win and we’re going to go all out for a second. It’s playoff season and that’s what we’re playing for, we have no other option. I have great faith in myself, I trust in the work I do. My teammates put on a fantastic display and did my best to play for them.”
Hezonja: “Now we have to win another one to get back to Madrid”
“The team really dug deep to win the game. Now we have to win another one to get back to Madrid. Sergio Rodríguez coming on really lifted us. Williams-Goss is always ready. He’s had some bad luck with injuries but he’s playing at a phenomenal level. As for Taveres, he was incredible, he makes the difference.”
“We know all about the atmosphere. You live to play in these games, I love them. Thursday’s match will be different. We made mistakes and we’ll have to correct those and give it everything we’ve got again.”
'I feel great, you always feel good after a win. I’m tired but you always rest better after a victory. I’ve done everything in power to get back playing. I’m not feeling much pain and I hope I’ll be alright for the next game. I’ve tried to work on my recovery with the physio, he’s really helped me to get back as quickly as possible.”
Williams-Goss: “We’re focused on taking a second win”
'We came here and were faced with a tough atmosphere and a great team. Now we have one win and we’re going to go all out for a second. It’s playoff season and that’s what we’re playing for, we have no other option. I have great faith in myself, I trust in the work I do. My teammates put on a fantastic display and did my best to play for them.”
Hezonja: “Now we have to win another one to get back to Madrid”
“The team really dug deep to win the game. Now we have to win another one to get back to Madrid. Sergio Rodríguez coming on really lifted us. Williams-Goss is always ready. He’s had some bad luck with injuries but he’s playing at a phenomenal level. As for Taveres, he was incredible, he makes the difference.”
“We know all about the atmosphere. You live to play in these games, I love them. Thursday’s match will be different. We made mistakes and we’ll have to correct those and give it everything we’ve got again.”