Chus Mateo: “We're heading into the semi-final hungry and focused”
“We're full of confidence and we're going to give it our all', said Poirier ahead of the game against Unicaja.
Chus Mateo and Vincent Poirier spoke in the build-up to the Copa del Rey semi-final clash with Unicaja Saturday, 6:30pm CET. The coach discussed the match-up: “We're into the semi-finals, four teams remain. There is a great sense of optimism, we're going all out to win the semis. We came into the Copa playing pretty well but quarter-finals are never easy”.
“There's always an element of a favourite tag being attached to the fact we're Real Madrid. You feel as though you are obliged to beat a team playing some great basketball and if you don't kill the game off at the right moment, that pressure builds on you more than the opposition, who have nothing to lose'.
Semi-final opposition
“Unicaja are very tough opponents. They're playing really well, look solid, they all know their jobs and are full of confidence. You could see how up for it they were yesterday and they made the most of it. They are an emotional team who fight to the end. We're really excited to be back in another semi-final but we know they will feel exactly the same. We can't wait to play the semi-final together and fully focused”.
Llull's injury
“We still haven't run any tests on him yet. His interior lateral ligament is painful, but we'll wait for the test results to see the scope of the injury. What's clear is that his participation in the Copa is over. Llull is the heart and soul of this time and of course we'll miss him but we have no choice but to look forward. We have enough players to try and come through this semi-final”.
“There's always an element of a favourite tag being attached to the fact we're Real Madrid. You feel as though you are obliged to beat a team playing some great basketball and if you don't kill the game off at the right moment, that pressure builds on you more than the opposition, who have nothing to lose'.
Semi-final opposition
“Unicaja are very tough opponents. They're playing really well, look solid, they all know their jobs and are full of confidence. You could see how up for it they were yesterday and they made the most of it. They are an emotional team who fight to the end. We're really excited to be back in another semi-final but we know they will feel exactly the same. We can't wait to play the semi-final together and fully focused”.
Llull's injury
“We still haven't run any tests on him yet. His interior lateral ligament is painful, but we'll wait for the test results to see the scope of the injury. What's clear is that his participation in the Copa is over. Llull is the heart and soul of this time and of course we'll miss him but we have no choice but to look forward. We have enough players to try and come through this semi-final”.
“I have a lot of affection for Unicaja, they were my team for 5 years, but it's a semi-final and I'm representing Real Madrid, my club and the one I love. Of course, we want to win it”.
Competition
“All eight teams can win the title. The fact Real Madrid or Barça have lifted the trophy in recent years doesn't mean the others don't have the same desire and chances of doing so. It's one game, the loser is gone. There is pressure on everyone. There are four teams left and we have a greater chance but we're only focused on Unicaja. We're getting closer but we have to put in a good semi-final performance. We are well aware of that and it is our goal”.
Poirier: “It's going to be a tough game”
“Unicaja have just beaten Barça and confidence is sky high. It's going to be a tough game. We're in good shape and we're coming to win the Copa. We're full of confidence, playing well and we're going to give it our all in every match”.
Llull
“He's our captain, his injury is a blow for us but we're thinking about his recovery going well and we want to win it for him'.
Pressure
“We're not under greater pressure to win it because Barça are out. We're Real Madrid and we're here to beat any team we come up against. We respect everyone and understand that everyone wants to beat Madrid”.
Competition
“All eight teams can win the title. The fact Real Madrid or Barça have lifted the trophy in recent years doesn't mean the others don't have the same desire and chances of doing so. It's one game, the loser is gone. There is pressure on everyone. There are four teams left and we have a greater chance but we're only focused on Unicaja. We're getting closer but we have to put in a good semi-final performance. We are well aware of that and it is our goal”.
Poirier: “It's going to be a tough game”
“Unicaja have just beaten Barça and confidence is sky high. It's going to be a tough game. We're in good shape and we're coming to win the Copa. We're full of confidence, playing well and we're going to give it our all in every match”.
Llull
“He's our captain, his injury is a blow for us but we're thinking about his recovery going well and we want to win it for him'.
Pressure
“We're not under greater pressure to win it because Barça are out. We're Real Madrid and we're here to beat any team we come up against. We respect everyone and understand that everyone wants to beat Madrid”.