Chus Mateo: “We're heading to a difficult court with our ambition and hunger sky high”
“The game against Asvel will be tough, physical, and will require us to give our very best', said Poirier.
Chus Mateo and Poirier spoke in the build-up to the Euroleague matchday 26 meeting between Asvel and Real Madrid Friday, 8:00pm CET. The madridista coach assessed the clash: “Asvel are a team that perhaps has fewer wins than they could have done, given the way they're playing and the equal nature of the ones they've lost. They have real personality, they're physical, read the game well and have experience. It's a tough court to go to but we're headed there with our ambition and hunger for the win sky high so we hope we can do it”.
“We have to be fully focused, decisive, ensure we do the things we're good at well. There are lots of those and we need to keep them up because that will give us a solid base. And then when we get the chance, go for the jugular and take the game”.
Poirier: “Dominating the rebound will be crucial”
“We're in for a tough, very physical game because Asvel have strong, athletic players who run the court really well and move the ball nicely. Astroballe is a difficult place to go and it will require us to give it our all if we want to win. There are several aspects of the game that will be important but I think the key lies in dominating the rebounds because if we close out our basket well, we'll have a much better chance of getting a result”.
Dangerous opponents
“Asvel will be highly motivated and their four-game losing streak in the Euroleague means nothing. Playing against the second-placed team in the competition is a challenge for them, we're going to their back yard and they'll give 100%, which makes it even more difficult”.
“We have to be fully focused, decisive, ensure we do the things we're good at well. There are lots of those and we need to keep them up because that will give us a solid base. And then when we get the chance, go for the jugular and take the game”.
Poirier: “Dominating the rebound will be crucial”
“We're in for a tough, very physical game because Asvel have strong, athletic players who run the court really well and move the ball nicely. Astroballe is a difficult place to go and it will require us to give it our all if we want to win. There are several aspects of the game that will be important but I think the key lies in dominating the rebounds because if we close out our basket well, we'll have a much better chance of getting a result”.
Dangerous opponents
“Asvel will be highly motivated and their four-game losing streak in the Euroleague means nothing. Playing against the second-placed team in the competition is a challenge for them, we're going to their back yard and they'll give 100%, which makes it even more difficult”.