Dejan Radonjić: "The third quarter was key"
Press conference of Zenit head coach Dejan Radonjić after the away victory over UNICS (75:82). The 30th round game of the VTB United League took place today, March 7, at the Kazan Basket Hall court.
— Congrats to my players for this game, of course, for this win. Beginning was not that good. We were really soft defensively with so many mistakes. And last few minutes of first quarter, then second quarter was totally different picture. The key for this game was the third quarter, defensively it was really great, offensively also. We did a lot of good things, good decisions, and then we won this game. So for me, of course, it's important to see my team like this in the next game.
— The third quarter was the most important in this game. How did you manage to get a 19-point advantage?
— So, I can not tell you that it was most important, but it was key for this game, you know. If you play against such a good team like UNICS, you can not play ten minutes to win this game. Like I said, you know, we did a lot of good things the last few minutes in the first quarter, second quarter also good, but third was key in this game. And beginning of the fourth quarter also was important for us to control the game. It was the key, like I said, but it was not most important because you cannot win against such a good team like UNICS is in 10 minutes.
— Since your arrival, Zenit has been in a rebuilding process. How is it going?
— First of all, I would like to say that if you come during the season, it's not the best possible way to lead the team, but this is our life, the coach's life, so for me it's important to say right now that we are better than in my first day. We did a lot, right now more than one month but still I didn't see all players on the court. We are still in the process and I hope so we will be ready for the playoff which is a goal for us.
— When can we expect Ismaël Bako and Johnny Juzang on the court?
— I hope we will have them during the next week on the court but this is not 100 percent.
— Many basketball clubs in Russia had problems with players who couldn’t leave the UAE due to the conflict. Did you have such problems?
— No, we didn’t have problems.
— Since you arrived, Zenit has won six consecutive games in the VTB United League. How does that feel?
— For me, more important is to see team better than what I saw on first day when I came. This is for me most important you know always is better to win of course but as I said still we are in the process so if you are better day by day this will be for me more important than and to win all games right now.
