Chus Mateo: 'We played a very good game overall.'
'It's not easy to win at the Olimpico and we're happy, but we're already thinking about the fourth game,' explained the coach after Madrid's second win in the playoffs.
Real Madrid coach, Chus Mateo analysed the team's win in the third game of the semi-finals against Joventut in a press conference: "I think we played a very good game in general. We defended well and we were very intense during the first three quarters, when the gap was very wide. Reserving people and easing off put us on edge, but the game was very good generally. We kept on top of a game that we knew was going to be complicated."
"We kept the Penya players in check. In the first half Guy was sharp but playing inside. We controlled Feliz, Parra, Tomic... In general terms, we didn't score much, especially in the first three quarters. But I'm happy, it was a very difficult court to go to and now we have to focus on the fourth game. It's a tough series and we're facing a great team that I respect a lot. Today we didn't score from outside either and we won without scoring from the three-point line and that makes me even happier."
Game 4
"We're thinking about how to approach the next game to try and play a good game. There is no past and no future, simply put: Monday's game. It's not easy to win here, especially in an atmosphere like this, with such passion for basketball and so many people encouraging their team to win."
Physical level
"Physically we are low on energy, but we have ambition and that is what keeps us going. The desire to win, to achieve our objectives. We have players who've had a very long and demanding season, and we're defending as a team. In terms of talent, we have plenty, like all teams. Joventut also have their fair share and they have shown that. Just as it looks like you've got it under control, they resurge. You should never count them out because they always have the ability to react."
"We kept the Penya players in check. In the first half Guy was sharp but playing inside. We controlled Feliz, Parra, Tomic... In general terms, we didn't score much, especially in the first three quarters. But I'm happy, it was a very difficult court to go to and now we have to focus on the fourth game. It's a tough series and we're facing a great team that I respect a lot. Today we didn't score from outside either and we won without scoring from the three-point line and that makes me even happier."
Game 4
"We're thinking about how to approach the next game to try and play a good game. There is no past and no future, simply put: Monday's game. It's not easy to win here, especially in an atmosphere like this, with such passion for basketball and so many people encouraging their team to win."
Physical level
"Physically we are low on energy, but we have ambition and that is what keeps us going. The desire to win, to achieve our objectives. We have players who've had a very long and demanding season, and we're defending as a team. In terms of talent, we have plenty, like all teams. Joventut also have their fair share and they have shown that. Just as it looks like you've got it under control, they resurge. You should never count them out because they always have the ability to react."