Chus Mateo: “At this stage of the competition, every game counts more”
“The team knows how to play under pressure and has the experience of these kinds of matches," underlined Campazzo.
Chus Mateo and Campazzo spoke to the press in the build-up to KK Crvena zvezda-Real Madrid in EuroLeague Round 32 (Friday, 8:00 pm CET). The coach discussed the game at the Belgrade Arena: “At this stage of the competition, with direct clashes that have such weight in deciding the playoffs, every game counts more. We're all so tight that the game in Belgrade against KK Crvena zvezda, who are also in the mix, is hugely important."
There are so many games during the year and it's not easy to just switch it on from day one. There is something that is always present in this dressing room, which is that we're always ready to compete. This is the business end of the season. We can't afford to step off even one day, and we have to get up if we fall. We're being more competitive right now."
Atmosphere in Belgrade
“Any basketball player loves to go there. At this level, 90% of players deliver their best. We know what Belgrade is all about, what their fans are like and how they get behind the team. We want to put on a good display because it's an extraordinary atmosphere."
Ramifications for the playoffs
“I'm not into all that at all, I don't like to make predictions. I'm more relaxed if I just don't think about it and it helps me focus on our work, which is all about playing a good game tomorrow. People like to make up their scenarios at this stage, but I tend to stay out of all that."
KK Crvena zvezda
“They've played the last couple of games with real drive and in a very smart manner. They've picked up a win at Olympiacos and they battered Virtus yesterday. They're a team with enormous potential, quality players in lots of positions. They're loaded with talent in Petrusev, Nedovic, Teodosic, good shooters…They have so many top players but they're playing well as a unit and that's what has taken them to fifth place."
Campazzo: “We've taken a step up mentally”
“It's a tough away day, a court where it's not at all easy to win or to perform well, but we'll be looking to control the pace of the game, and our emotions, as well as possible. It's a huge challenge. They're playing really well and we have to keep doing the things we've been doing in recent games, like rebounding, running and defending hard. If we can do that, we have a real chance of winning it."
Predictions
“We shouldn't be wasting our energy thinking about it. We have to focus on the things we can control. We have to try and win three games. We depend on other results as well but we're just thinking about tomorrow's game, which is another cup final for us."
“We have the experience of playing these kinds of big games under pressure. We have to stick together, which is the best way to approach it."
Team's form
“We've taken a step up mentally. También, cedemos cada uno nuestro juego para el bien colectivo. En nuestra cabeza está la defensa, la concentración y la intensidad. Esos detalles marcan la diferencia y lo estamos manejando bien. El juego generoso en ataque y el compromiso atrás son clave”.