Laso: “We've got home-court advantage and the fans' support is key in a playoff'
"It'll be a great opportunity for us to perform to our best," added Yabusele in the build-up to the game against Maccabi.
Pablo Laso and Yabusele spoke to the media on the eve of the opening match-up in the EuroLeague playoff series between Real Madrid and Maccabi Wednesday, 9pm CET. The coach previewed the match in the following terms: “This is quite possibly the toughest stage of the season because we've got a lot of games in quick succession and face a playoff against one of the top teams in Europe. It's a demanding stage of the season and the team is aware of the fact. I'm relaxed because the team is aware of the situation. We face a play off against a great team, we've got home-court advantage, but we know just how tough it'll be”.
“If we're to win at home, we’ll have to put in a good performance, be aware that we’ll have to defend against some very good players who play high-intensity basketball. We managed to dominate many aspects of the game in Tel-Aviv, but despite that, they still turned the game on its head. We’ll need the support of our fans because that's key in a series like this. I'm relaxed because I know that the fans will deliver”.
Most recent meeting
“Every game is different. We did a lot of good things over there and the win was there for the taking on several occasions. In the final quarter, for different reasons, they got back into the game. They’re a team that has that drive and you can see that during the games they've got that will to keep up their fitness levels and ability to run. We'll have to see what things we can improve on, whilst considering the things that we did well”.
“Real Madrid and Maccabi are two big teams who have played each other in the Final Four and contested EuroLeague games for many years now and everyone sees it as being a big match on the European scene. That rivalry has remained in place and I'm really motivated”.
“If we're to win at home, we’ll have to put in a good performance, be aware that we’ll have to defend against some very good players who play high-intensity basketball. We managed to dominate many aspects of the game in Tel-Aviv, but despite that, they still turned the game on its head. We’ll need the support of our fans because that's key in a series like this. I'm relaxed because I know that the fans will deliver”.
Most recent meeting
“Every game is different. We did a lot of good things over there and the win was there for the taking on several occasions. In the final quarter, for different reasons, they got back into the game. They’re a team that has that drive and you can see that during the games they've got that will to keep up their fitness levels and ability to run. We'll have to see what things we can improve on, whilst considering the things that we did well”.
“Real Madrid and Maccabi are two big teams who have played each other in the Final Four and contested EuroLeague games for many years now and everyone sees it as being a big match on the European scene. That rivalry has remained in place and I'm really motivated”.
“I don't know whether we’re up against the best Maccabi side, but in recent weeks, they’ve improved as a team. It's almost as if teams are good or poor depending on whether they win or lose. They come into the game in great form, feeling really confident and very free. We did some good things over there and should use that as a reference to know what we're going to come up against”.
“Taylor picked up a knock in Bilbao and won't be available. He wasn't able to train yesterday, but we hope he's feeling better tomorrow. Hanga had a muscle strain and we preferred not to force it, but he trained as normal yesterday and today. I've never left anyone out. All of the players are available, apart from Deck, who tested positive for COVID. I’ll decide who plays tomorrow and am not going to say anything because that would be giving our opponents some clues”.
Yabusele: “We’re really focused”
“We’ll try to be focused and are working to prepare for these next two games at home. They'll be coming here to try and win at least one game and we need to make the most of home court advantage. We’re really focused and have had a good week of work and are ready for what lies ahead tomorrow”.
“They're a great team with a lot of energy and it’s a great opportunity for us to perform to our best. We’ll try to maintain our home-court advantage and focus on our game. It's really good that we're at home and that we've got that advantage”.
“Taylor picked up a knock in Bilbao and won't be available. He wasn't able to train yesterday, but we hope he's feeling better tomorrow. Hanga had a muscle strain and we preferred not to force it, but he trained as normal yesterday and today. I've never left anyone out. All of the players are available, apart from Deck, who tested positive for COVID. I’ll decide who plays tomorrow and am not going to say anything because that would be giving our opponents some clues”.
Yabusele: “We’re really focused”
“We’ll try to be focused and are working to prepare for these next two games at home. They'll be coming here to try and win at least one game and we need to make the most of home court advantage. We’re really focused and have had a good week of work and are ready for what lies ahead tomorrow”.
“They're a great team with a lot of energy and it’s a great opportunity for us to perform to our best. We’ll try to maintain our home-court advantage and focus on our game. It's really good that we're at home and that we've got that advantage”.