Chus Mateo: “We must come out focused and work until the end of the game”
“The fans really help us out and I hope that we get a lot of people here to support us, said Hezonja ahead of the Clásico (Thursday, 8.45pm CEST).
Chus Mateo and Mario Hezonja discussed the EuroLeague round five clash against Barça at the WiZink Center Thursday, 8.45pm. The Real Madrid coach said: "It's always a different game. A Clásico is very appealing due to the fact that there's a rivalry between the two sides. It's a special game. Then you pause to think about it and realise that it's just one more game, within a huge number of games that we have to play during the year. It's the third time this season that we've played Barcelona and I'm sure there will be more to come".
"Things are going well within our team. I think we're grasping very well what we want. We're the team we want to be, we defend with a high intensity and we have the desire to go out and win games. We have to go out tomorrow with a good mentality, focused and be patient enough to let the game mature. We must be patient and believe that we'll win it if we work until the end. We'll need to secure the rebound and not lose too many turnovers against a team that punishes turnovers".
Barça
"They're full of confidence in how they play and they've got some very talented players. They're a tough team to beat and they've only lost to us. I always prepare for the best possible opponent. I'm expecting the best Barcelona, I can't assume anything else. The only thing I always want and wish for is that we're much better than them. If they play well, we'll play better. Despite having won the Euroleague, we're still hungry for more trophies".
"Things are going well within our team. I think we're grasping very well what we want. We're the team we want to be, we defend with a high intensity and we have the desire to go out and win games. We have to go out tomorrow with a good mentality, focused and be patient enough to let the game mature. We must be patient and believe that we'll win it if we work until the end. We'll need to secure the rebound and not lose too many turnovers against a team that punishes turnovers".
Barça
"They're full of confidence in how they play and they've got some very talented players. They're a tough team to beat and they've only lost to us. I always prepare for the best possible opponent. I'm expecting the best Barcelona, I can't assume anything else. The only thing I always want and wish for is that we're much better than them. If they play well, we'll play better. Despite having won the Euroleague, we're still hungry for more trophies".
On Campazzo
"He's really helping us to develop our understanding of the style of play we want to have and particularly to allocate the roles much better and much earlier than last year. He's a perfect point guard for us".
Hezonja: " We must stay focused for 40 minutes"
"Teams improve throughout the season and every game is different from the one before. We've had some dips during some games and we must approach this game focused for the full 40 minutes".
"It's always important to control the rebounding against Barça and to be on our toes in defence. The fans really help us out, they like to watch these top level basketball games and I hope that we get a lot of people here to support us".
"He's really helping us to develop our understanding of the style of play we want to have and particularly to allocate the roles much better and much earlier than last year. He's a perfect point guard for us".
Hezonja: " We must stay focused for 40 minutes"
"Teams improve throughout the season and every game is different from the one before. We've had some dips during some games and we must approach this game focused for the full 40 minutes".
"It's always important to control the rebounding against Barça and to be on our toes in defence. The fans really help us out, they like to watch these top level basketball games and I hope that we get a lot of people here to support us".