Xavi Pascual: "Now it's time to relax a little bit, at least 24 hours"
Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual commented on the results of the home match against PARMA (105:90). This victory allowed the blue-whites to win the VTB United League 2024/25 regular season ahead of schedule.
— First of all, thanks to all the fans today, during these 22 games that we played at home. Talking about the game, one game that clearly in the first 20 minutes we were not enough in focus defensively, And in the second half, especially in the third quarter, when we tried to be in focus, it was not enough because our opponent had big confidence inside of the game. And only in the last part of the game we could close our ring and we could finish this very important game for us. Just to congratulate also PARMA for their game.
— In the last match you will play against Astana — a team that has no claims to anything. Is it more dangerous because of this, or is there some relaxation before this meeting?
— Now it's time to enjoy a little bit this achievement, to relax a little bit, at least 24 hours and after that we will go to Astana, we will try to prepare the game and to be serious as we used to be.
— After the match with Astana there will be a pause of 10-11 days before the playoffs. In such a situation, is it a plus or still the rhythm and this big winning streak require you to keep playing?
— The competition is how it is. So we'll need to wait the team that is coming for the second play-in game. I think we will understand the opponent 19th at night. We will work and we will be ready. Also in the last period we played a lot of games consecutive, so it's going to be okay to rest a little bit.
— During the whole season, Dwayne Bacon was staying in the court at the final seconds of the games. Today he didn't. Why?
— Because it was a decision. As a coach always I'm trying to win the game. We used to do it always with him. Today is the game 43 and we did different, but we won. So this is the most important.
— Zenit-2 is going to play on Friday. It's the fifth game, the final game of this quarterfinal series. Will you attend this game?
— No, I cannot because I will be flying to Astana. I cannot be in two places at the same time. I will be flying, unfortunately, without Wi-Fi.
