Chus Mateo’s message for Real Madrid’s final with Panathinaikos AKTOR with the Euroleague trophy as a prize.
The Spanish coach stressed at the press conference that the European champions will have a difficult task, glorified the “clover”, like Kostas Slukas, and set the goal of back-to-back titles.
In detail what he said:
For the obstacle of Panathinaikos: “We are happy to be in another final. Congratulations to Panathinaikos and coach Ataman who is also here. It will be difficult to win the title, but we will try. Yesterday was a very tough game against Olympiakos and we expect the same tomorrow. We have a goal and we want to achieve it».
Regarding the comparison between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos: “No opponent is the same. Against Olympiakos we had a plan, tomorrow we might have differences. The most important thing is to be mentally prepared. We will have to show character like yesterday, because Panathinaikos will fight».
To maintain the trunk compared to last year: “It certainly helps to have the same core, we have almost the same team as last year with the addition of Campazzo. But now we have a final and a lot can happen in it. We should be ready, like last year, until the last second».
On the occasion of Real’s comfortable victory in the semi-final: “I don’t know what happened yesterday, every game is completely different. The finals in recent years may have been decided in the last seconds, but that doesn’t mean anything. The details are important, a rebound, a defense, a good shot… We have to find these details to make the difference. You never know how a game will turn out».
When asked to talk about Real’s stability he said: “Presence in so many finals shows the work that Real have been doing, for years, with so many different coaches. Steadfastness and hard work stand in time. We have players with winning personality and character, a certain DNA that dictates you have to compete and show what you can do. Responsibility towards our world is something that follows us everywhere. We are proud to have reached here again and the goal is none other than back-to-back.”
On how he enjoys success: “When we win, I drink a beer with my partners. It’s a habit. I like beer.”
Regarding Lessor’s capabilities, he noted: “Lessor is one of the top players in the Euroleague. We will try to stop him, but it will not be an easy task. But it would be foolish to focus only on him, coach Ataman has many weapons. Slukas is a leader, Nan is a great scorer, there are other very good players like Mitoglou, Grigonis…».
On whether he feels he’s getting the recognition he deserves based on his career: “I don’t care what people may say about me. I’m doing my job, I’m happy to be a coach at Real. I am a quiet person, who wants to do his work and be calm with his team and family. I don’t care what it may be called. Ataman, Bartzokas, Lasso, there are many good coaches, I care about having my players and my family by my side».
To support the world: “It will be a nice atmosphere. We know that our fans will be a minority in the stadium, but it is important that they support us even away from here. I like it, in any case, when we play in a full stadium».
When asked about the curse of first place: “The past is… the past. Now we have a fight ahead of us. The past was forgotten. The word favourite, as I told you in the first press conference, is more for the fans and the betting companies. We will play a match against a great team. Panathinaikos is an incredible team, they had a great run and there are no favorites in a final. We have worked hard for 10 months leading up to this moment and I know we will show up ready to win.”
About his career path: “I had difficulties when I came back from the NBA, there were many challenges, but I learned a lot. Breogan helped me become MVP in the best league in Europe. For me, being at Real is the trophy of my life. I come from a place most of you don’t even know about. I never even dreamed of getting here. I used to say to be able to play professionally in France. I grew up in a difficult environment but I managed to succeed. I want to send the message that everything is possible. I was 15 when I went to France, I didn’t even know what the Euroleague was and now I feel blessed to be here».
Then he said about the legends of the team: Mateo: “I can only say good things about our veterans, how they push their teammates, how they work for the team and how they train despite having fought thousands of battles and been through injuries. They are always there to help the team, in a 90 game calendar. Sergio, Chacho and Rudy are two examples. We can take our hats off to them. I would love to win for them too, especially for Rudy who will be retiring. But also for Dec, who helped us get here. We wouldn’t be here without him. I hope we win for them».
He also said about Olympiakos and Panathinaikos: “Olympiacos and Panathinaikos came into the Final 4 with confidence. Olympiacos passed Barcelona, ​​Panathinaikos made an amazing start. Both teams defend very well, but Panathinaikos has something that Olympiacos doesn’t, Slukas, who is an amazing leader, as well as a goalscorer like Nan. Olympiacos is a very tough team, which relies more on the whole. Panathinaikos got many victories because of the quality of their players».
Regarding the Euroleague format, he pointed out: “Maybe 90 games is too much for the players. These are the rules and we don’t want excuses. We have a final and we want to win it. Not to discuss the format now».
Source: Sport Fm
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