Chus Mateo: “We're hungry to play what is a big game"
“We're up against a direct rival and we have to give it that extra push to take the win," underlined Llull in the build-up to Monaco-Real Madrid.
Chus Mateo and Sergio Llull spoke to the press on the eve of Monaco vs. Real Madrid in Round 24 of the EuroLeague (Friday, 7:00pm CET). The coach explained: “We're doing well, confidence is high and we're hungry ahead of a big match. Monaco are a great team and they've really shown that in recent seasons. They've got top players and are doing a great job. In recent years, they've made the Final Four, they've got big-name players capable of winning games on their own. It's an important match for us and we're heading into it with the hope of taking a decent win at a tough place to go.”
“Bruno Fernando is coming to Monaco and I hope he gets the chance to play, while Dennis Smith Jr. still needs a little more time with his teammates to settle in fully. Both of them have adapted to the group well."
Can Tavares and Bruno Fernando play together?
“He's only just arrived, we'll try it. I won’t rule out the possibility. We have to see if whether works and can fit into all the different systems we have. They've just got here so now we need a period of trialling things and for them to adapt. We've got to give them the chance to be settle in, I'm in no hurry with them.”
What do you expect from the new signings?
“We expect Dennis Smith Jr. to be a great defensive player, who helps the team in areas that sometimes don’t stand out as much in a game. He's capable of getting into the paint. He's got a fantastic attitude and is one of the best defenders of recent years. Bruno Fernando is a player who understands the game perfectly, he's capable of rebounding, playing one-on-one, and running the court. He also boasts a great physique. Both can contribute, we've got great things already and we've improved now."
Positive run
“We had a very strong end to December and a really great January. We have never lost faith in our tenacity. This is a game where mentality is important and being tough and making the players feel strong as a team pays off in the long run. That's the path we have to take, and it's a bit different from previous years. It's a collective challenge and I'm happy with how things are going. I've been pleased with the reaction. The chemistry and balance we have in this team is not easy to find."
Llull: “We're moving along the right track”
“We're in good shape, we're hungry and moving along the right track. We hope the new signings can settle in as quickly as possible. We've got a big game at a difficult place to go, but we want to take a step up and continue climbing the table."
Monaco
“They're a team full of fantastic individuals and they score a lot of points. They're aggressive at the back and steal a lot of balls. We'll have to try and control the rebound, limit our turnovers and then play our game in offense if we want to win it."
Table
“The EuroLeague gets tighter every year. Every game counts and in these kind of match-ups, away from home against direct rivals, the team has to give it that bit extra to win."