Xavi Pascual: "We allowed them to play easy"

Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual commented on the 91:68 home victory over Avtodor during the post-match press conference.

— First of all, thanks to all the supporters that were here today. I think it's clear that it was two games — one in the first quarter, and after that the last three quarters. We knew before the game, we talked a lot, that Avtodor is playing very well, with great coach and they were in a very good moment. And we allowed them to play easy, we couldn't fill the game through defense, also in offence we were very static, without mobility. And the first quarter, these ten points, show the reality of these ten minutes. But after that, step by step, we changed the game. Our offense was much better. We scored 21, 24 and 28 points. And in the second half, in 20 minutes, they scored 25, that is less points than in the first quarter when they scored 28.

— What are the reasons for such an unsuccessful segment in the first quarter? Sergey Karasev said that the pressure is taking a little effect.

— No, sometimes it's very difficult. I have no answer. But for sure we will speak inside of the team because now it happens two games consecutive — against Loco, that we didn't start well, today, that we didn't start well and this cannot happen. Now we are going to Nizhniy Novgorod, and after that we have Uralmash and Enisey. Three games in which or we start well or after that will be very difficult to win. So this is one part clearly that we have to improve.