Chus Mateo: “Being well placed in the League and EuroLeague is not easy and that's to the players' credit"
“A Clásico is a Clásico and we have to play it as if it were a final,” underlined Campazzo.
Chus Mateo and Campazzo spoke to the press in the build-up to the Clásico on matchday 26 in the League (Sunday, 6:30 pm CEST). The coach discussed the game at the Palau Blaugrana: “It's always a different game against Barcelona. It's a great matchup for the fans and with the rivalry behind it. Despite their injuries, they're competing really well. We'll be up against opposition who are keen to face us. We'll try and give a good account of ourselves as always, put on a good display and try and win the game in order to reinforce our positive mentality."
“I don't spend time thinking about the fact we've won 13 in a row in the League. You have to give it the appreciation it deserves because combining two competitions and playing at a high level in both is not easy, so that's credit to the players. I prefer to take it one step at a time, that's a more practical approach than thinking about where you're at."
Opponent
“We're playing some solid basketball. Since we played in the Copa del Rey we've only lost to Panathinaikos on their home ground. That helps you feel stronger but it's not always that easy, especially against your big rivals. They've won some important games in Turkey and Milan and they look strong too right now. We'll try and win it because it'll be an added bonus for the fans, not to mention the respect for our work, but it's less about the league table."
Campazzo: “The team is hungry and in good shape”
“The calendar, both in the League and the EuroLeague, doesn't allow us to step off physically or mentally. We're facing a Barcelona team who play some great basketball at home and despite their injuries they're still a fantastic outfit. They'll demand 100% from us. This is a Clásico, and all that comes with that. It doesn't matter where each team sits in the table. A Clásico is a Clásico and we have to play it as if it were a final. We have to show good concentration levels. It's always a great game to be involved in and we'll try and play well."
“The team is in good shape and hungry to play for what's available this season. We have some very important games coming up, we're motivated. We're starting to play some great stuff now and we have to capitalise on that as much as possible so we're in good form for next week."
13 successive League wins
“There is still a long way to go but we've stepped up our game, we're playing really well, defending strongly and winning big matches. We have to keep up the same dynamic of solidarity and commitment. We're top of the table and it's important to win because next week we're playing in Tenerife and that motivation has to be an extra boost for us."