By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
KAUNAS, Lithuania – Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo saw his players presenting two different pictures in two different halves against Barcelona before getting the win that sent them to the championship game against Olympiacos Piraeus Sunday (21/5). He broke down how the game evolved in his team’s favor.
“It could’ve been a problem if they kept scoring outside with such a good performance,” Mateo said, referring to Barca’s 9-14 halftime triples. “In the second half, we talked in the locker room about finding a window and they’re probably not going to score with the same percentages. and we were able to come back defending. being good on the defensive rebound. fighting on the rebounds. and not having turnovers
“And this was the key point probably. to be at the end of the game with the option to win. we needed to do that, finding this window and get into it.”
“In the beginning, some players played good defense vs Nikola Mirotic, Nicolas Laprovittola,” Mateo added. “At the end of the game we could control the rhythm and we were able to beat Barcelona, an amazing team with very good players. it’s not easy to reach the final, it’s even tougher to reach the final and we are very very happy because our dream continues and we can keep dreaming.”
Mateo saw his veterans like Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull making decisive plays down the stretch and controlling the game.
|They were fresh at the end of the game because they didn’t play a lot in the beginning,” Mateo joked. “They know how to close games. they know how to control the rhythm in the end. sometimes it’s easy for a coach to let them play. i don’t have to say too much. they know how to control the rhythm, who is going to play the pick-n-roll with Edy Tavares, who’ll attack? So for me, it’s very easy. I got an easy job. we have a team that fights together and tries to get another title. they have a lot on their back and I’d like to get to the title with them. why not dream another night
One more game. let’s see what happens vs. Olympiacos. but today we can enjoy it. I’m very proud of the heart of my team. we are together and a team.”
Olympiacos won its own game vs. AS Monaco thanks to a stunning 27-2 run in the third period after trailing by 12 at the break. The Reds registered the biggest run in the history of Final Fours.
“Final four isn’t easy for anybody,” Mateo said in regards to Monaco, a newcomer in the tournament. “In halftime Monaco was winning and Olympiacos is a great team with a lot of people with a lot of experience. they reacted via defense. they allowed only two points in the third period. they’re a very very solid team. they’re playing together, they know how to pass each other.
Mateo praised Olympiacos’ well-oiled game and structure. “They are like a machine. We know that it’ll be very difficult to play against them. but we’ll try to find a window again where we can go. let’s see what happens.”