Chus Mateo, Real Madrid coach, highlighted “the devilish rhythm” played by Alba Berlin, with whom they will face this Thursday in the Euroleaguein a match in which the Spanish team cannot afford a new defeat at home and in which Williams-Goss will return after six months injured.
“Williams-Goss will return to the team and will be the one to cover the loss of Guerschon Yabusele”, affirmed Mateo, who highlighted “the devilish rhythm of an Alba that plays very well, they pass the ball very well and it gives them good results”. “The average time per possession for the Germans is 12 seconds, they play very fast, and you have to be very careful with them at all times,” added the Real Madrid coach.
Mateo continued to analyze the rival. “They are a team with many records at the top of the Euroleague in terms of three-pointers made, in percentage of three-pointers, they are second in assists, they block very well, they recover balls. And to face such a rival, we must maintain our style but we must attack well, not to catch that rhythm of exchanging baskets because it does not benefit us”, he explained.
“We must be good defensively and be able to make few losses and every time we have a shot be well placed in order to have a good defensive balance,” continued Mateo. The one who is not here yet is Fabien Causeur. “He and the team need time to adapt and we are going to give him the time he needs.. We will see how it evolves ”, she pointed out. This week, due to the selection window, the team has had seven days to rest and work. “We have taken the opportunity to work on defensive aspects in which you always have to pay attention. Certain tactical situations that create problems for us during the year. Details that the maelstrom of matches does not allow us to face, “said the coach.
Alba started by winning the first three games but now they have four consecutive defeats. “It’s not something that tells me anything in particular. The Euroleague is hard and They are playing really well, they know what they want, they have very clear concepts both offensively and defensively, so I don’t think those four defeats will change the way they play”, he said. The German team is one of the most powerful in the inside game, just like Real Madrid. “The important thing is that the team grows, we have players who try to generate play from within and we insist on it. It is important, being deep is the way for teams to close, trying to put the ball as close to the hoop. They are also very potent in this aspect, and find open shots with high percentage. The key is in the balance between the outside game and the inside game”, concluded Chus Mateo.