Xavi Pascual: "We need to focus on the next game"

Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual summed up the results of the match against Uralmash (96:66). The Spanish specialist noted the importance of the next game, commented on the large number of unsportsmanlike fouls during the meeting and spoke about the changes after match in Moscow.

— First of all, thanks to all the fans that were with us. One game that we lead from the beginning against one opponent that, despite the fact that some players were not here, they were playing very well. I want to wish Uralmash it's all the best until the end of the season. And for us, we need one game more. And our main thought is to have on Wednesday the stadium full, and to play a good game and to close this first position with all the fans over here.

— What is the right way to use the last two matches of the regular season in terms of preparing for the playoffs?

— No, first of all, we need to one win more, to be in position one, and this is our goal. We need to play very well against one very difficult opponent, PARMA will be a very difficult on Wednesday, they are doing a very good job. They came from Astana with win, and now they are in a great moment. So just to prepare the next game, to be focused on the next game, this is the most important.

— What has changed in your game compared to the match against MBA-MAI?

— In a sport always every day is different and after the game of CSKA we lose a lot of energy. We were too mentally and physically, and with MBA, we were not ready to play in the level that we want to play. Finally we win, we suffer, we fight, but our entry in the game was not okay. Today we start the game better, with better rhythm, with better game, so every game is different than the previous one.

— Despite the fact that we played very good, we had three unsportsmanlike fouls. Why do you think this happened?

— Yeah, we need to control our emotions sometimes, this is a huge level of contact. Sometimes we don't control our emotions. It's something that we have to do better.

— Zenit-2 won their second victory in the Super League quarterfinal series in Novosibirsk today. How closely are you following this? And how important is it for the team to go far?

— Yes, I was in the first game. Unfortunately, in the second, no, because we were in Moscow. And Pasha Zemskiy today played a very good game with 40 minutes, 35 points. If I'm not wrong, 11 rebounds. I follow all the guys over there. And my congratulations to them. I hope after tomorrow, they will close the series.

— The big event in the world of sports this evening is the record of Alexander Ovechkin, who visited the Zenit championship locker room in 2022. How did you react to this news?

— Yes, I have a big remember of him. And also, these days, all of us, we follow this event, waiting this goal, and finally, it was in the middle of the game. So, fantastic. So, my big congratulations to him. Great guy, incredible athlete, incredible player. So, big congratulations to him and to all hockey family in Russia.