Xavi Pascual: "We started the game very well"

Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual answered questions from journalists after the team's 92:79 victory over PARMA in the second game of the VTB United League quarterfinal series. The blue-whites' coach noted that the team showed an excellent start today, but winning in Perm, with the support of the local fans, will be very difficult.

— First of all, thanks to the fans that they were with us here, one more time. One game that we started very well, especially the first seven, eight minutes, we were fantastic, defensively and offensively. After that, the first four minutes, five minutes of the second quarter, we lost the control a little bit also with four turnovers consecutive but on the third quarter we lead the game again step by step we took one big advantage and we were managing that until the end of the game.

— How did you get off to such a good start?

— The starting five in these two games started both games in a very nice direction: defense, rebound, rhythm, going fast break and playing without a stop. So the players started very, very well. And it was crucial for the game, because in these kind of games to start well is very important.

— After the first game, you said that with a big difference in the score, PARMA was already preparing for the second match. In your opinion, was the opponent stronger today than in the first match?

— Both teams in the first game, it was one moment that we started to think about Game 2. And I said, PARMA in the first game had a big disadvantage because they were coming from play-in, but today both teams were coming after 48 hours and both teams we were well-prepared for the game. And PARMA showed us that they have character, they have organization, they have good coach to change the way to play in one direction, in another direction. So they show us that it is a very difficult opponent. We will need to play very well in Perm if we want to win.

— Somebody can say that 2:0 is the most dangerous score because you can lose concentration and relax. Do you agree with this statement?

— No, I prefer to be 2:0 than 0:2. But after that you need to prepare yourself and to be concentrated. Usually also the second game of playoffs is very dangerous. Today we found a way to win and we will need to prepare our mind to win in Perm. Also the series is changing. Perm at home is a very strong team. We will need to play very well if we want to win.

— Can the team afford to relax after two wins in the series?

— I hope not. I hope we are not going to relax. This is the most important part of the season. It's a playoffs time. It's the most beautiful for the players, for the coaches, for everybody. We were playing 44 games to be ready for this moment. The team is ready. We have to be concentrated and not relax. Relax in summer, not now.

— Perm always has a full arena and a special atmosphere. Can such support influence the game of the hosts?

— Always when we play in Perm it's amazing, atmosphere, the stadium is full, they help a lot their team, they are amazing. Always I say congratulations to PARMA because all the fans are always there and it's gonna be very difficult. They will help a lot their team, they will push a lot and we will need to play very well as I said before.