Chus Mateo: 'We're going to give our all to become champions'
“Real Madrid possess a battling spirit, a fighting spirit, and they never give up; I'm very proud of the heart the team showed”, said the coach.
Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo, spoke to the press after his side’s victory against Barça in the EuroLeague semi-finals: “We made a good start to the game. But Barcelona scored a lot of three-pointers. They shot 9 out of 14 in the first half. That could have proved problematic, but at half-time we talked about how we would find more gaps in the second half and we were sure they wouldn't keep their shooting percentages up. We managed to tighten up our defence and offensive rebounding. That was the formula for us to get to the end with a chance to win the game. We managed to find that chance and we threw everything we had at it. Some players did very well defending against Mirotic and Laprovittola and at the end of the game the veterans enabled us to control the game and beat Barcelona, who are a top team.”
“It's not easy to reach the Final Four and it's even harder to make it to the final. We're delighted because the dream is still alive and we'll see what happens against Olympiacos. I'm very proud of the heart the team showed. We're united, we play together and we're a team.”
The veterans
“They were fresh because they hadn't been playing at the beginning. They know how to play these games, how to finish them off and they know European basketball inside out. They know how to control the tempo. Sometimes it's easier to let them play. I don't have to tell them too much. We have top players, a united team and we're trying to grab another title.”
Starting the game with Eli
“He's been working well and hard since the beginning of the season. It's difficult to play against Mirotic for 40 minutes because he draws a lot of fouls. But we defended really well as a team against him. Eli did a great job against LeDay in the playoffs in game 5 and today he did it again against Mirotic. He played great defence in the 8 minutes he was on the court. Randolph also did a great job. Now, we have to make the best use of our resources because we don't have Deck, Yabusele or Poirier.”
Changes at the break
“At half-time we saw we had a chance. Last year we were 11 down and we managed to win it. If they leave us hanging in there, we can bounce back when the going gets tough. They were very good on the outside, but we were able to stay calm and not lose our heads and wait for the moment. They shot 39 three-pointers and we knew they would miss. We rebounded pretty well and when we took the lead, the door opened and we stepped in well. We got 7 up and they came back, but we were back in it. This team has the ability to hang in there and fight together and I'm satisfied with the chemistry that has been created because it's been a gruelling season. When things go wrong we keep working and I'm delighted because we've kept that spirit.”
Tavares
“We talk to him and the team a lot about how important it is to keep him on the court. Without Poirier he must be on the court a lot, because the game hinges on him. He's a special player. He has the ability to understand the game and I'm pleased with the way he pushes himself and works hard. I'm really happy that things are going well for such a good person like him.”
“It's not easy to reach the Final Four and it's even harder to make it to the final. We're delighted because the dream is still alive and we'll see what happens against Olympiacos. I'm very proud of the heart the team showed. We're united, we play together and we're a team.”
The veterans
“They were fresh because they hadn't been playing at the beginning. They know how to play these games, how to finish them off and they know European basketball inside out. They know how to control the tempo. Sometimes it's easier to let them play. I don't have to tell them too much. We have top players, a united team and we're trying to grab another title.”
Starting the game with Eli
“He's been working well and hard since the beginning of the season. It's difficult to play against Mirotic for 40 minutes because he draws a lot of fouls. But we defended really well as a team against him. Eli did a great job against LeDay in the playoffs in game 5 and today he did it again against Mirotic. He played great defence in the 8 minutes he was on the court. Randolph also did a great job. Now, we have to make the best use of our resources because we don't have Deck, Yabusele or Poirier.”
Changes at the break
“At half-time we saw we had a chance. Last year we were 11 down and we managed to win it. If they leave us hanging in there, we can bounce back when the going gets tough. They were very good on the outside, but we were able to stay calm and not lose our heads and wait for the moment. They shot 39 three-pointers and we knew they would miss. We rebounded pretty well and when we took the lead, the door opened and we stepped in well. We got 7 up and they came back, but we were back in it. This team has the ability to hang in there and fight together and I'm satisfied with the chemistry that has been created because it's been a gruelling season. When things go wrong we keep working and I'm delighted because we've kept that spirit.”
Tavares
“We talk to him and the team a lot about how important it is to keep him on the court. Without Poirier he must be on the court a lot, because the game hinges on him. He's a special player. He has the ability to understand the game and I'm pleased with the way he pushes himself and works hard. I'm really happy that things are going well for such a good person like him.”
Sergio Rodríguez
“It's spectacular. Between him, Llull and Rudy, they set the pace again. It's difficult to stop such a talented player. It's great for the fans to see him. He didn't have any deficiencies in defence. He's difficult to stop in attack, and when he gets it on and starts to fight, it's a delight. But they all deserve it. We had a great regular season in one of the hardest in the history of the league. The playoff wasn't easy and now we're in the final. We have one game left and we're going to give everything we've got to be champions.”
Final stretch of the season
“We went 0-2 going to Belgrade, where everyone thought it was going to be really difficult. But we were still five wins away from the trophy. We came back with two wins and in Madrid things got tough for us, but we like that scenario, the toughest one possible. Once we got here, we knew we had weaknesses, but we have our resources and we're going to fight for it. Beating Barça in the semi-finals is nice and competing until the last day makes me proud to be able to support this group that works so hard and loves basketball so much. I hope I can contribute to do my bit to win the trophy.”
Resistance
“I try to downplay everything. I'm really happy now. Real Madrid has a battling spirit, a fighting spirit, always wanting more. There are values in basketball, at this club and in this team that serve as an example for many people. Not giving up and when no one else sees you as a winner, you keep on believing. We're a team that works together and I'm pleased to be a part of that. They deserve it.”
One defining moment
“The whole competition has been really exciting and we haven't been able to relax at any point. Every two days we had a match and you don't have time to think. If I had to pick one thing, it would probably be the fight in the fourth match in Belgrade to take it back to Madrid. From playing with so much composure and patience, where nobody believed we could win. When we won the fifth game and I got to be with the rest of the coaching staff.”
Opponents in the final
“Olympiacos are a great team with a lot of experienced players. They're a very solid team, who play together and know how to pass the ball. We know it's going to be hard, but we're going to try to find that gap again, that window through for us to get through.”
“It's spectacular. Between him, Llull and Rudy, they set the pace again. It's difficult to stop such a talented player. It's great for the fans to see him. He didn't have any deficiencies in defence. He's difficult to stop in attack, and when he gets it on and starts to fight, it's a delight. But they all deserve it. We had a great regular season in one of the hardest in the history of the league. The playoff wasn't easy and now we're in the final. We have one game left and we're going to give everything we've got to be champions.”
Final stretch of the season
“We went 0-2 going to Belgrade, where everyone thought it was going to be really difficult. But we were still five wins away from the trophy. We came back with two wins and in Madrid things got tough for us, but we like that scenario, the toughest one possible. Once we got here, we knew we had weaknesses, but we have our resources and we're going to fight for it. Beating Barça in the semi-finals is nice and competing until the last day makes me proud to be able to support this group that works so hard and loves basketball so much. I hope I can contribute to do my bit to win the trophy.”
Resistance
“I try to downplay everything. I'm really happy now. Real Madrid has a battling spirit, a fighting spirit, always wanting more. There are values in basketball, at this club and in this team that serve as an example for many people. Not giving up and when no one else sees you as a winner, you keep on believing. We're a team that works together and I'm pleased to be a part of that. They deserve it.”
One defining moment
“The whole competition has been really exciting and we haven't been able to relax at any point. Every two days we had a match and you don't have time to think. If I had to pick one thing, it would probably be the fight in the fourth match in Belgrade to take it back to Madrid. From playing with so much composure and patience, where nobody believed we could win. When we won the fifth game and I got to be with the rest of the coaching staff.”
Opponents in the final
“Olympiacos are a great team with a lot of experienced players. They're a very solid team, who play together and know how to pass the ball. We know it's going to be hard, but we're going to try to find that gap again, that window through for us to get through.”