Chus Mateo highlights Madrid's packed schedule, explains game preparation routine / News - Basketnews.com

Chus Mateo mentioned something his father keeps asking him to illustrate Real Madrid's hectic schedule. The Spanish coach also commented on Guerschon Yabusele career night against ASVEL.

Credit: Rokas Snarskis Credit Rokas Snarskis

Real Madrid didn't gear up almost at any point during their 86-79 win over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Thursday night. However, they didn't need to, either.

Player of the Game EFF 33 Guerschon Yabusele Points 26 Accuracy 7-9 Rebounds 3 Assists 0

Racking up its 22nd triumph in the 2023-24 EuroLeague campaign and leading the standings by far (2nd-placed FC Barcelona count 16 wins), the squad coached by Chus Mateo looks like the definite regular season winner.

Madrid's tally in EuroLeague double-round weeks amounts to 13 wins in 14 games, but that doesn't prevent Mateo from addressing what he perceives as a big problem for his side.

"Now it's a difficult period to stay focused because we've started to look at other things as well," the Spanish tactician commented, referring to the distractions his players need to overcome.

Mateo thinks it's not easy for his team to maintain a competitive level every time it shows up on the court. He illustrated his point with a reference to a personal incident.

"My dad asks me when I play and I say, ’Always.' Anytime you turn the TV on, there's Real Madrid basketball playing. With this schedule, it is difficult to always be focused," he said at the press conference.

Asked if he was expecting the great individual performance of Guerschon Yabusele, author of 26 points, he said:

"I try not to watch too much pre-match film; I try to be very pragmatic, try to say what I have to say to everyone. A lot of times something comes out that wasn't in my head.

I try not to think about where the game is going to go because it can go anywhere. You have to be prepared, try to make the game plan clear, but sometimes you don't know who's going to star," Mateo concluded.

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