Chus Mateo: “We've been doing a lot of good things but we can't afford to relax”
“We've got a very important game coming up with home-court advantage on the line”, said Rudy before the Fenerbahçe game.
Chus Mateo and Rudy gave their thoughts on the round 31 Euroleague game between Real Madrid and Fenerbahçe. The coach said about the game, which will be staged at the WiZink Center 8.45pm CEST: 'Every game is important, if only to try to improve. We've been doing a lot of good things and we've also made some mistakes, but we're not going to let our guard down. At Real Madrid, we can't afford to relax'.
'Fenerbahçe have a lot of experience, they've got a good coach and key players with experience in the Euroleague. They'll be giving everything they've got to finish in the top eight and will be looking to gain home-court advantage. Even though we beat them well on their home court in the first round, this will not be an easy game'.
Selection list
'We've not got anyone back so we're keeping the same guys, but we're hoping that Sergio Llull and Williams-Goss will return as soon as possible. Llull is very important for us on and off the court'.
Competition
'The Euroleague this year is proving to be extremely challenging, perhaps the toughest ever due to the equality between all the teams. No team can be ruled out and I'd be unwise to talk about any possible opponents'.
'Fenerbahçe have a lot of experience, they've got a good coach and key players with experience in the Euroleague. They'll be giving everything they've got to finish in the top eight and will be looking to gain home-court advantage. Even though we beat them well on their home court in the first round, this will not be an easy game'.
Selection list
'We've not got anyone back so we're keeping the same guys, but we're hoping that Sergio Llull and Williams-Goss will return as soon as possible. Llull is very important for us on and off the court'.
Competition
'The Euroleague this year is proving to be extremely challenging, perhaps the toughest ever due to the equality between all the teams. No team can be ruled out and I'd be unwise to talk about any possible opponents'.
'The playoffs are the most difficult time of the season, due to what's on the line and the fact that you're up against a top side every two days. You review what you did well and not so well against them in the Regular League and after each game you try to tweak things. Both tactical and mental work play an important role'.
Rudy: 'I expect us to be at our best'
'We've got a very important game coming up and we're playing for home-court advantage in the playoffs. That's our objective, but we're also trying to get better as a team. We want to carry on building up a positive momentum, like we did last week. We're up against a side that's also playing for a lot'.
'It's also a very important match for them and I'm expecting them to be at their best as they've got very good players and a very experienced coach in terms of this type of match'.
Rudy: 'I expect us to be at our best'
'We've got a very important game coming up and we're playing for home-court advantage in the playoffs. That's our objective, but we're also trying to get better as a team. We want to carry on building up a positive momentum, like we did last week. We're up against a side that's also playing for a lot'.
'It's also a very important match for them and I'm expecting them to be at their best as they've got very good players and a very experienced coach in terms of this type of match'.