Chus Mateo: "We can't make any mistakes and we must be more focused than ever"
"We will try to do our best at home with our fans to get the win", said Deck in the build-up to the game against Asvel.
Chus Mateo and Deck spoke the day before Euroleague game 30 against Asvel Villeurbane, which will be played at the Movistar Arena (Thursday, 8:45pm CET). The coach said: "There is very little left and a lot at stake. It's the first of the five games ahead of us and we need to do a good job, be together and with our fans. For us it is very important to feel the warmth of the Movistar Arena and that when things don't go our way there are people who support us so that things get back in our favour. That magic that the Movistar Arena transmits has made us overcome adversity and we always keep it very much in mind. I need to get into the heads of my players so that they know how important this game is for us. We have to think that our lives depend on us doing something positive with every play. This match deserves so much respect that I'm not thinking about the others."
"It's in our hands and we can't let opportunities slip away. We have a lot of direct clashes. A win puts you at the top and a defeat takes you out of the play in. Now we can't make mistakes and we have to be more focused than ever. Everything will depend on our mentality, on how calm we are, on how we handle the course of the game... Asvel has players of enormous quality and of the highest level. They have a lot of resources and we can't give ourselves any respite. We have to lose few balls, score in numerical superiority, circulate the ball well..."
Deck at 100%?
"I hope he plays without problems tomorrow. He's not 100% yet. He needs competition rhythm and that comes from playing. You have to let him make mistakes and get it right. He needs to get into the group dynamic, which is lost when you're sidelined. He's a key player and we need a lot from him in terms of the team and the game. He always brings something positive, even if it's not in a numerical way."
Deck: ‘With the support of the fans we'll have an advantage’
"We have a tough game against a great opponent. We'll try to give our best at home and with our fans to get the win. It won't be easy, but every Euroleague game we have left is a final. With the support of the fans we'll have an advantage."
"Asvel is a very intense team and strong for the full 40 minutes. We will try to match that and look for the best options. We have to focus on our own game and do our job well. Since I've been here, it's the most evenly matched regular phase. We have to do well and win as many games as possible. We have to be intense and fight for every ball."