Emotional Chus Mateo after Madrid's win: ‘This team gives us a lesson every day’ / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Sonia Canada/Getty Images Credit Sonia Canada/Getty Images

Despite all the absences due to injuries and the COVID-19 outbreak, Real Madrid (14-3) played with more energy and defeated CSKA Moscow (10-7) in a tied game (71-65).

Player of the Game EFF 28 Walter Tavares Points 15 Accuracy 6-11 Rebounds 10 Assists 1

Chus Mateo, who won four games in a row since Pablo Laso tested positive for COVID-19, made an emotional speech in the press conference after the game.

"I would like to talk about sport and what it makes us feel. I can't talk about strategy today. We played with an incredible heart, beating a transatlantic", he began.

"Since I've been at this club for 8 years, every challenge that these players have faced, they always went for it. They have believed. It is a pride to belong to this team. They give lessons every day. It is not all written. You have to fight till the end," Mateo added.

Talking about the game, the Spanish coach praised veteran players' motivation, as well as some other details.

"Our veterans trust in the team from the beginning. Their motivation is an example for all of us. We were smart during the game, avoiding turnovers because they could have punished us with fast breaks. We also did a great job in the second half with the rebounding," he analyzed.

More than 5.000 people attended the WiZink Center, where Blancos played their last home game in 2021.

"The unity we have in this arena is something incredible. It is important to remain unbeaten at home this season in the EuroLeague. Not many teams have this feisty character", Mateo pointed out.

Asked about youngsters' performances (Urban Klavzar scored 10 points and Sediq Garuba was aggressive on defense), Mateo praised them for their overall effort.

"They have understood very well what we needed from them. I want to praise Alberto Angulo's work in the youth categories. These guys are ready to play in the first team. And it says everything about how the club is working", he concluded.

Free throws this season

73%11,8Points made:11,8Accuracy:73,1%Place in standings:10Record max:21Record min:4Most made FTs:Walter TavaresTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

After the game, Nigel Williams-Goss, who finished with a 17 points season-high, could not hide his pride.

"We just fought, we believed, and I think the first quarter set the tone. I'm happy for the young guys, and the coach did an incredible job stepping in, a great team effort", the American guard admitted.

On the other hand, Dimitris Itoudis was clear enough in his game point of view.

"Congratulations to Real. This game has a lot of unwritten rules, and the only unwritten rule in every team sport is to compete and play hard. With so many problems, they compete well," he introduced.

"We had a really bad start. We did it better in the second quarter, but it was not enough. We were missing shots, turning over the balls… That was not the strategy, it was about the desire," explained the Greek coach.

Itoudis had special words for two of the youngsters who appeared in Madrid's squad tonight.

"Klavzar and Garuba have played a great game. We better remember those names," he added.

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