Dejan Radonjić: "The game was very physical"
Zenit head coach Dejan Radonjić shared his thoughts after the victory against MBA-MAI (84:74).
— So congrats to my players for this win. Beginning was really good. Then in the second period was a sort of mistakes on both ends, you know, defensively and offensively. It was very physical game but for us in these circumstances it was very important to win. We spent several days together, so three games. I am satisfied with everything what we did in the last several days.
— For several matches in a row, Zenit has been starting very well: looking tough on defense and not allowing the opponent to score many points — today MBA scored only 7 in the first quarter. Do you think a strong and tough start is now part of your philosophy? Part of Zenit’s philosophy?
— Look, I would like to see my team to play all four terms like that, but it's not possible. The opponent was good, they are really good. I have a great respect for them and so beginning was good, but after that they played really good. We did some mistakes, both ends, but as I said, we need to analyze, of course, this game. We have to be ready to play more minutes like in the beginning, definitely.
— The team had a 35% field goal percentage, and there were many free throws. Do you attribute this to the physicality throughout the game, or something else?
— I think the reason was that we saw one very, very physical game from both sides.
— Ismaël Bako was present at the game today. When can we expect him to be on the roster?
— We need to do some more tests, physical tests, and then we will see.
— MBA-MAI player Pavel Savkov scored only two points in the first half. What changed in your game in the second half, considering he went on to score 15 points?
— First of all, he's very talented player and then he presented that in second half. For sure it was not easy to guard him, but the same time we did some mistakes defensively. Anyway, he's offensive very talented, so it's not easy to play against him.
— MBA-MAI has only Russian players. As a coach, have you ever encountered a team with players from only one country? And what is your opinion on such projects?
— So probably we have but I think it's one of the I don't know how many teams with all domestic players in Europe. I don't know exactly but what I know it's not too much, definitely. And this is very nice to see this team with all Russians. And on a high level of basketball, I don't think so that we have.
