Chus Mateo: “We're goping to play against a great team and we have to be ready”
'We are on a good run and playing with confidence,' said Rudy ahead of Real Madrid-Virtus Bologna (Thursday, 8.45pm, CET).
Chus Mateo and Rudy Fernández spoke in the build-up to the EuroLeague round seven clash between Real Madrid and Virtus Bologna Thursday, 8.45pm CET. The coach had this to say about the game: "We will try to play to offset their strengths and to bring out our own. We played against Barça with a 65-64 score and nobody would have expected us to score so low. We have to be ready for any kind of game and to react in the moment. We always set out with a plan on paper, but then things can happen. We have to be very alert in order to react at the right moment and take the game."
"I like playing at the WiZink Center and having the crowd as near to us as we always do because it helps us to get the wins in difficult games. The standard of this competition is very high and we'll have to be ready for 40 minutes because the game will be decided in the final minutes".
Roster
"Poirier had gastroenteritis and he trained today for the first time. Yabusele had a knee problem, he's recovered but sprained his ankle yesterday. We had a setback today with Ndiaye, who was accidentally elbowed in the eye".
Virtus Bologna
"They're playing really well. It's a great team and very well run. They're doing very well, with decisive players like Shengelia. They play as a team, they punish your mistakes and they are very solid in defence. They're looking good for the playoffs and a very tough team".
Squad management
"I've got very good players, like all the teams in the Euroleague. The good thing is that they adapt to what I ask of them and do it for the good of the team. The good thing is that they are capable of adapting to what I ask them to do and they do it for the good of the team. And that's important to me because that's the key to a team's success. We're getting into a good position now and hopefully we'll continue in the right direction".
"I like playing at the WiZink Center and having the crowd as near to us as we always do because it helps us to get the wins in difficult games. The standard of this competition is very high and we'll have to be ready for 40 minutes because the game will be decided in the final minutes".
Roster
"Poirier had gastroenteritis and he trained today for the first time. Yabusele had a knee problem, he's recovered but sprained his ankle yesterday. We had a setback today with Ndiaye, who was accidentally elbowed in the eye".
Virtus Bologna
"They're playing really well. It's a great team and very well run. They're doing very well, with decisive players like Shengelia. They play as a team, they punish your mistakes and they are very solid in defence. They're looking good for the playoffs and a very tough team".
Squad management
"I've got very good players, like all the teams in the Euroleague. The good thing is that they adapt to what I ask of them and do it for the good of the team. The good thing is that they are capable of adapting to what I ask them to do and they do it for the good of the team. And that's important to me because that's the key to a team's success. We're getting into a good position now and hopefully we'll continue in the right direction".
Winning streak
"I'm pleased that people enjoy watching the team. We don't get anything out of breaking a record. It gives us a certain balance to work with, but we know that we have to win when we have to win. It is a tribute to the work we are doing and it has a lot of credit, but we have to keep going".
Rudy: "Virtus has a lot of quality"
"It's first against third. Virtus are playing really well and we know the quality of their players. We're in a good run of form and we're playing at home. They're a very dynamic and high-scoring team. They've taken a big step forward defensively compared to last year. They are playing very well".
"We're very happy with the way we've begun this season but there's still a long way to go and we need to continue to improve. This good run of form helps us to play with confidence but we know that it's a long way to go. The main focus is on the game against Virtus and we'll take it one game at a time. And when the bad moments come, we'll try to make sure they don't last too long".
Schedule
"We're already used to a lot of game a week. We had one game last week and had more training sessions, but it's not new and we know the importance of every player. As we're unbeaten, every team that plays against us has that extra motivation to beat us".
"I'm pleased that people enjoy watching the team. We don't get anything out of breaking a record. It gives us a certain balance to work with, but we know that we have to win when we have to win. It is a tribute to the work we are doing and it has a lot of credit, but we have to keep going".
Rudy: "Virtus has a lot of quality"
"It's first against third. Virtus are playing really well and we know the quality of their players. We're in a good run of form and we're playing at home. They're a very dynamic and high-scoring team. They've taken a big step forward defensively compared to last year. They are playing very well".
"We're very happy with the way we've begun this season but there's still a long way to go and we need to continue to improve. This good run of form helps us to play with confidence but we know that it's a long way to go. The main focus is on the game against Virtus and we'll take it one game at a time. And when the bad moments come, we'll try to make sure they don't last too long".
Schedule
"We're already used to a lot of game a week. We had one game last week and had more training sessions, but it's not new and we know the importance of every player. As we're unbeaten, every team that plays against us has that extra motivation to beat us".