Chus Mateo: “We were very disciplined throughout the whole game'
“We knew it'd be tough, but we were focused', insisted Deck following the win.
Chus Mateo and Gabriel Deck reflected on Real Madrid’s victory over Barça in Game 1 of the final at the Palau Blaugrana. The assistant coach was full of praise for the team’s performance: “We put in a good display. We controlled the tempo pretty well and I think the players put in massive effort in defense. Towards the end of the game, we ended up having to dig deep to counter Barça’s inevitable surge. We were very disciplined throughout the whole game. We've now reclaimed home-court advantage, but between two teams like us that doesn't count for anything. We've now got to keep going. We've got another game here at the Palau in two days’ time and have to win that one too.
“Hanga played very well and controlled the tempo of the game in what’s an unfamiliar position for him. We've got a shortage of playmakers that we've had for a while now and he, Deck and Núñez did really well. All of them are contributing so much. I'm happy but the day after tomorrow we’ve got another game. It’ll be a long and intense battle and we've only won the first round.”
On Randolph’s injury
“It doesn't look good and it's a shame that a player who's had injury problems for some time now has picked up an injury that will likely be serious.”
“Hanga played very well and controlled the tempo of the game in what’s an unfamiliar position for him. We've got a shortage of playmakers that we've had for a while now and he, Deck and Núñez did really well. All of them are contributing so much. I'm happy but the day after tomorrow we’ve got another game. It’ll be a long and intense battle and we've only won the first round.”
On Randolph’s injury
“It doesn't look good and it's a shame that a player who's had injury problems for some time now has picked up an injury that will likely be serious.”
Deck: “It’s a final and fatigue doesn’t come into it”
“It's important that we began the series with a win. We knew that it was going to be tough, but we were focused. We also knew that we’d have our chances and are happy to have got the win. You've got to perform with good intensity and play hard when up against Barça and we did just that. However, we now have to go and rest up and prepare for the next game, which I'm sure will also be a very tough one. I knew that I would gradually find my place within the team and I'm always available to help out in whatever way I can. I also thank the team for having made things so easy for me.
Defense
“We had to change things in defense because they've got some good shooters and they hold firm on the inside. We all put in the extra effort to perform well and prevent them from dominating in the paint. We're in a final and fatigue doesn't come into it. There are only a few days left and we've got to give our all.”
“It's important that we began the series with a win. We knew that it was going to be tough, but we were focused. We also knew that we’d have our chances and are happy to have got the win. You've got to perform with good intensity and play hard when up against Barça and we did just that. However, we now have to go and rest up and prepare for the next game, which I'm sure will also be a very tough one. I knew that I would gradually find my place within the team and I'm always available to help out in whatever way I can. I also thank the team for having made things so easy for me.
Defense
“We had to change things in defense because they've got some good shooters and they hold firm on the inside. We all put in the extra effort to perform well and prevent them from dominating in the paint. We're in a final and fatigue doesn't come into it. There are only a few days left and we've got to give our all.”