Chus Mateo: “We have to be consistent for the full 40 minutes against Maccabi"
“They are dangerous opponents but we know what we need to do to win the game," underlined Musa in the build-up to the EuroLeague match.
Chus Mateo and Musa spoke to the press on the eve of the EuroLeague Round 6 encounter between Real Madrid and Maccabi. The coach assessed the match-up (Tuesday, 8:15pm CET): “We have to be consistent for the full 40 minutes. You can't switch off against them because they have a glut of individual and collective resources. We have to stay alert, make it a long game and remember nothing is tied up after the first quarter, we will have to fight to the end. The more stable we can be, the less up and down we are, the more chance we have of winning it."
“Maccabi are really tough opposition loaded with offensive talent outside, with real physicality inside. Physically, they are a team that push you to the limit and they play at an incredibly high pace. It's undoubtedly going to be a difficult game."
Upcoming games
“Aside from Yabusele's injury, which will keep him out for a while and we hope he can come back stronger, the rest are all available to play. These are players who work hard and really look after themselves. The next two weeks will be particularly demanding, with four EuroLeague games away from home in a row."
Calendar
“Although we do have it in our minds, we're only thinking about the next match because that's the best way for it. We are only thinking about an opponent who deserves our complete respect. They are having a great EuroLeague campaign and are among the favourites to make the playoffs. The rest can wait. If you win every game, that breeds energy and it's easier to build from a winning position. We're sharing the minutes out well and what we want is to keep picking up wins to put ourselves in the best possible position. It's a race to the end and right now we're at the head of the pack. We know what we have to do."
Musa: “We're fine from a physical perspective”
“Maccabi are a dangerous team with players who are strong one-on-one like Lorenzo Brown and Baldwin IV. We know what we have to do to win the game but it won't be easy - it's about rebounding well, running and being strong on defense."
Playing behind closed doors
“It's a bit strange but it will be a game like any other. The EuroLeague is an unbelievable competition and it's always a pleasure to be involved in these kinds of games. We're fine from a physical perspective because we're sharing the minutes around well."