Chus Mateo: “We had a lot of success with our outside shooting”
“We gradually built up a lead from steady play”, said the coach after his side’s win against Bàsquet Girona.
Chus Mateo analysed Real Madrid‘s victory over Bàsquet Girona at the WiZink Center, on matchday 28 of the Liga Endesa: “We got off to a good start and gradually built up a lead from steady play. We had a lot of success with our outside shooting, with ten three-pointers by half time. We moved the ball around well and found the open shots.”
“The outside shooting often serves to increase the difference. The way the game went allowed us to give minutes to players who need to get up to speed a bit. It was a relatively comfortable match, considering that none of them are in the league.”
Inside game
“It's important that we learn to play without Poirier, who's a big player for us. What I mean is to learn to play without someone as valuable as the best rebounder per minute in the EuroLeague, that's what we've lost. We must understand that we all have to work together to make up for this shortage, and that something that was previously given to us in terms of centimetres and physique now requires us to make a greater effort.”
“Everyone has to chip in, even with the little things, because sometimes 50-50 balls are rebounds that count. When you hit three-pointers, the games open up more easily, but you also have to get down on the floor and learn how to play when you don't hit the shots and the game gets harder and the physicality falters. Tavares has been coming on and he's gradually performing a better, but we can't have him on the court for 40 minutes. When Vincent and he are not on the court, we all have to make an extra effort.”
Recovery
“When the games get hard now that we have players out, we have to dig our heels in and win the games irrespective of our squad's composition. We've been suffering a lot physically this month, the last month is taking its toll. Hopefully we will soon recover physically and that will help us to feel stronger.”
Randolph’s adaptation
“He's coming on in leaps and bounds. Every time he comes on the court, he does a great job, he knows what the team wants. There were some unexpected losses from him today, but he's lacking tempo and game time. These games are good for him. Today he caught 8 rebounds and that's worth taking into account. When he comes on, the team looks solid, I don't think he's such a bad alternative.”
“The outside shooting often serves to increase the difference. The way the game went allowed us to give minutes to players who need to get up to speed a bit. It was a relatively comfortable match, considering that none of them are in the league.”
Inside game
“It's important that we learn to play without Poirier, who's a big player for us. What I mean is to learn to play without someone as valuable as the best rebounder per minute in the EuroLeague, that's what we've lost. We must understand that we all have to work together to make up for this shortage, and that something that was previously given to us in terms of centimetres and physique now requires us to make a greater effort.”
“Everyone has to chip in, even with the little things, because sometimes 50-50 balls are rebounds that count. When you hit three-pointers, the games open up more easily, but you also have to get down on the floor and learn how to play when you don't hit the shots and the game gets harder and the physicality falters. Tavares has been coming on and he's gradually performing a better, but we can't have him on the court for 40 minutes. When Vincent and he are not on the court, we all have to make an extra effort.”
Recovery
“When the games get hard now that we have players out, we have to dig our heels in and win the games irrespective of our squad's composition. We've been suffering a lot physically this month, the last month is taking its toll. Hopefully we will soon recover physically and that will help us to feel stronger.”
Randolph’s adaptation
“He's coming on in leaps and bounds. Every time he comes on the court, he does a great job, he knows what the team wants. There were some unexpected losses from him today, but he's lacking tempo and game time. These games are good for him. Today he caught 8 rebounds and that's worth taking into account. When he comes on, the team looks solid, I don't think he's such a bad alternative.”