Real Madrid head coach, Chus Mateo, was pleased after his team’s victory in El Clasico in the Liga Endesa.
Mateo mentioned that the current European champions weren’t at 100%, but it was enough for a triumph over Barcelona.
“I congratulate all the players for their effort. They compensated well for the potential lack in rebounding (Walter Tavares didn’t play). We didn’t play at our best, but we played with a lot of heart. Perhaps we lacked a bit of discipline, and our three-point shooting percentage was very poor – 20%. We are happy, but this is just another victory in the regular season. We need to keep working because tough matches lie ahead, like the one against Girona in the next round” – Mateo said.
He also touched upon the strategy of the Madrid team and 16-year-old Ismaile Diagne, who scored nine points in 13 minutes.
“I didn’t realize he’s only 16 years old. The kid is doing exceptionally well, and the minutes are a reward. He’s excellent, just like Hugo Gonzalez, Egor Demin, and Mitar Bosnjakovic. I need the best players when important things are at stake. If I had made a mistake, people would have said I was crazy to introduce a 16-year-old” – emphasized Chus Mateo.
Before facing Girona, Real has a EuroLeague match against Baskonia in the first round.