Chus Mateo criticizes ACB schedule: 'It's not even 48 hours' / News - Basketnews.com

Chus Mateo said that a better effort could've been done to avoid having to play two games in three days at a crucial stage in the EuroLeague. He later commented on Hezonja's emotions during the game vs Joventut and explained his stance on the matter.

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

Just two days before the EuroLeague quarterfinal game against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Real Madrid played a match in the Spanish Liga Endesa, a fact that the Spanish team's head coach Chus Mateo didn't appreciate.

Player of the Game EFF 20 Mario Hezonja Points 20 Accuracy 7-10 Rebounds 3 Assists 2

Talking after a win against Joventut Badalona, Mateo criticized the schedule makers, noting that avoiding injuries was the primary concern.

"I think they could have put Sunday's game somewhere else but it doesn't depend on us and they've taken us to play against another team who also have their minds set on next week's European outing. We have a very short time to prepare for Tuesday's match. It's not even 48 hours," the specialist said. "In that sense, it was a game that could have distracted us but the good thing is that nobody has picked up any knocks."

11 players appeared on the court for Real Madrid on Sunday with all of them playing at least 11 minutes. Mario Hezonja spent the most time on the court with 22 minutes of action.

The coach had a little conflict with Hezonja during the game but ultimately nothing came out of it. After the match, Mateo explained the situation.

"I didn't want to lose him due to a technical foul or an ejection, and I prefer that he rethinks it and relaxes. Tell me what's going on and I'll eat it. A technical foul will not be called, and I will put him into the game again when he relaxes," Mateo explained.

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