Matteo: “Poirier is 99% out – Barcelona are an excellent team”

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Statements about the upcoming Final 4 and the “Clasico” in the semi-finals were given by the coach of Real Madrid, Chus Mateo.

The Spanish coach, who will be “present” for the first time in the last phase of the Euroleague, emphasized that 99% he will not have Vincent Poirier at his disposal, while he added that Barcelona is an excellent team, but also about how will face Mirotic.

His statements in detail:

For the remaining two games:

“We are very excited to be champions, we will try to do our best, although we know the difficulty, we are not stupid, we are here for a few days and we know it will not be easy. We are strong, with appetite and energy, with our mind set on playing a good game against Barcelona.”



On dealing with Mirotic without Deck and Yabuselli:

“We will try to make up for the losses as best we can. Losses are part of the game, in this case these two players occupy the same position and we will try to replace it in another way. It won’t be easy to face Mirotic, even if Dek and Iabuselli were there, so on Friday we will do it with the energy of the whole team and other players.”

On the situation of his team after the series with Partizan:

“The team is happy to be able to fight for the title until the last minute. Illusion makes up for the fact that we may have less energy than we would like. You have to notice that we are close to achieving it, and at the same time very far, and this gives us extra motivation. We were able to overcome 2-0 and that gives us a morale boost. We dream of going to the final. Barcelona will be a formidable opponent, they are very well worked and coached, with players of an excellent level and he is a long-term coach.”

For Poirier:

“99% will be out. It’s very difficult for us to rely on him in the Final 4.”

For his first Final 4:

“I’m happy on a personal level, because it’s my first Final 4, I really like being in this situation, but I always try to take everything lightly. I am happy, excited and I would like to be able to contribute my part in the effort to win the title.”

On whether Barcelona start as favourites:

“Talking about favourites, even with shortcomings, I don’t think makes much sense. We have worked very hard since September to have the advantage on the floor and now we can only dream. The team is very excited, neither statistics, nor injuries, nor fatigue play a role, there is a semi-final ahead of us.”

Source: Sport Fm

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