Xavi Pascual: "We had a very good mentality"
Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual summed up the results of the first match of the VTB United League quarterfinal series against PARMA (102:68).
— Thanks to all the fans that were with us today. So just 1:0, nothing else, this is play of time, one game that was step-by-step we were talking advantage, first quarter six points, ten points at the end of the second quarter and in the third quarter we break the game. And one game that we had a very good mentality, defensively and offensively. And then we need to prepare ourselves for the next game, it's going to be completely different.
— There was quite a long pause after the end of the regular season. How did this time pass and how satisfied are you with how the team felt the rhythm from the first minutes?
— I think we prepared for the game very well. PARMA had not this opportunity because they played a play-in on Saturday. So on this we had advantage today for the game, but at the main time we did a very good job in preparation and also during the game.
— You played against PARMA in the regular season just 13 days ago. Was it difficult to make any surprises for the opponent and make the game different?
— Every game is different, you know. This is basketball. We know very well each other. So, this season, in playoff, after to play four times already, so all the teams, more or less, we know very well each other. Always we try to adjust some situations, but it was not something crucial to surprise or something like that. We tried to attack the weakest points of the opponent and to play good defense, so nothing else.
— If I'm not wrong, it was the first game for Egor Ryzhov in the playoffs. How would you evaluate his game today?
— He played the last part of the game. He has to continue working hard, improving his game like everybody. All the team will have to be ready. The playoff time is very long. All the players will have important moments and important minutes during the game. So he has to be ready like everybody.
— This match was very similar to the match at the beginning of the season with PARMA. Was it surprising that in the second half there was no fight with the opponent?
— As I said, in the play-off, every game is going to be different. Today, when we took advantage, both teams started to think about the next game. For us, it was easier to play with this advantage. For PARMA — they started to think also to the second game. It's not important if you win by 30 or if you win by one, the only important is to win in playoff. So, it's gonna be a completely different game on Thursday, I'm sure.
