Chus Mateo on Efes game: 'It's not about eliminating them from the playoffs'

2023-03-13 15:48

Chus Mateo wants to see Real Madrid come out stronger from the upcoming duel against Anadolu Efes and likes to think that the EuroLeague champs will have a full roster in Tuesday's game.

Credit: IMAGO/Norbert Scanella

Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo described the EuroLeague Round 24 game against Anadolu Efes Istanbul next Tuesday (March 14) as "important", but he discarded the idea that his team can essentially ​​eliminate the Turkish team from the playoff equation.

"It's an important match, on a difficult court, and against the defending champions. We want to qualify for the playoffs first and then achieve home-court advantage," said Mateo.

The match, which was suspended five weeks ago due to the great earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria, comes with more pressure for the Turkish side. Efes have their back against the wall for good, as their poor 13-14 record leaves much to be desired.

Points this season

49%
84,4
Points made: 84,4
Accuracy: 49,1%
Place in standings: 4
Record max: 105
Record min: 60
Best scorer: Dzanan Musa

"Our goal is not to beat the EuroLeague champs and leave them trembling. It's a good game for us to come out stronger, but it's not about eliminating people from the playoff equation. We're going to think about doing our thing well," he explained.

Real Madrid are currently placed second only to leaders Olympiacos Piraeus with a 19-8 balance. If they win in Istanbul, they will catch up with the Reds, but they're still going to need one more win than the Greek squad, as they were beaten in both games.

Regarding the available players, Guerschon Yabusele is traveling to Turkey, but Nigel Williams-Goss is staying in Madrid

The 28-year-old sustained a setback in the ACB League win vs. Bilbao on Sunday. He played for less than 7 minutes and scored 3 points.

Williams-Goss was seen sitting not on the Real bench, but next to the injured guard Carlos Alocen during the second half. He averages 6.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 6.8 PIR over 19 EuroLeague games this season.

"Nigel isn't going to travel. He has a groin tear and for a couple of days, we won't be able to know if it's grade 1 or 2. Yabusele is going to travel, but I don't know if he will be able to play. Injuries alter plans, but entries and exits of players complicate things", said Mateo.

Credit Real Madrid via Twitter

The Madrid-born coach was asked about Carlos Alocen, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee on February 13, 2022, and hasn't played ever since. 

"He has been working for more than a year but had to stop at some point. The mentality of the medical and technical staff is that he recovers well. You have to be patient and not set return dates. Carlos and Anthony Randolph hope they will recover as soon as possible," he said.

Anadolu Efes also appear to be dealing with injuries in Vasilije Micic, Shane Larkin and -most notably- Rodrigue Beaubois, who is most likely to sit out. Mateo likes to think that "they will all be there."

"It is a champion team and we don't need to think about their absences. We can't say whether they are affected or not. We know how this works - and more so with Anadolu Efes", Real Madrid's play-caller concluded. 



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