Chus Mateo: “Olympiacos will require us to be at our best”
“We have two very tough away games coming up but hopefully the team can continue in the same vein ”, said Deck.
Chus Mateo and Gabriel Deck gave their views on the Olympiacos-Real Madrid EuroLeague round 12 clash (Tuesday, 8:15pm CET). The coach spoke about the game in Athens: "It's a classic. We're up against a top team. We played Olympiacos in the last Euroleague final and they're having a great season".
"It's going to be a very demanding week for us, with two high intensity games and two classics of European basketball. They're going to play at home and they're going to want to put in a great performance in front of their fans. It's going to be two tough, long games where we'll have to play perfectly if we want to win".
Opponents
"Olympiacos are very well run, they play as a unit and don't rely on their individuals. The crowd there really gets behind them, even if they're not playing well. You have to do everything right to win on courts like that. We're only focusing on Olympiacos at the moment. They're going to require us to be at our best to get the job done".
Importance of Campazzo
"He's a vital part of this team. We missed him when he left. There's a big understanding with him and we all benefit from it. The team is the most important thing and the team feels very comfortable around him. He's a fundamental part for me and for the rest of the team-mates as well".
Roster
"Yabusele won't be going; Sergio Rodríguez has a hip problem and we'll see if he's available for the next match. He took a heavy knock iin the game against Fenerbahçe".
Hugo González
"He's gradually working and the important thing is that he sticks to his training programme, which is what he's been doing for years in the youth system. The important thing is for him to be calm. He has to work at his best every day and when he gets a chance with the first team he has to make the most of it, he has to be ready. It's all part of a process".
Deck: "Anyone can be the leader of our team"
"We have two very tough away games coming up but hopefully the team can continue in the same vein as it has been and put in a great performance. We know that Olympiacos will make it hard with the backing of their home fans, but we have to begin focused and try to play at our own pace. The team is aware that when they play away from home they have to give a little bit more".
"We have to be at our best mentally in every game and we're going to go with that mentality. Any player can be a starter and be the leader in any game and we have to use that to our advantage. Whoever comes in has to give their all".