Dejan Radonjić: "What is very important for me — we didn't give up"

Press conference of Zenit head coach Dejan Radonjić following the home game against CSKA. The Round 40 game of the VTB United League regular season ended with a score of 74:83 in favor of the Moscow team.

— Congratulations to CSKA on the win. I talked before the game about what we need to do and what will be very important for us, you know, it's because of tough game against CSKA is in front of us and in 2-3 days after that first game of playoff. In all these circumstances it was not easy to prepare for the game. In total, if I talk about game, I can say that some part we did a lot of good things on both ends. Some part it was not good. Also, what is very, very important for me, we didn't give up. We played the last several minutes with full energy, focus was good, we tried to come back to the game, but the experienced team — in the end they won't. 

Right now, we have a few days before the first game of playoff, we have to be ready for that. This is our focus and goal, to be good enough to win our first games. Then to think about other games.

— Dejan, you already mentioned the comeback that happened in the fourth quarter. How valuable are moments like that? The team tried to come back in a situation where it seemed very difficult to do so.

— Of course, you know, after some moments we didn't play well because of a lot of circumstances. On the court, our reaction was good and we tried to play. We did good things on both ends last minutes. Of course, it's very important for us, because, as I said, in front of us is a playoff, so we need to be ready to play like we did last 10 minutes, especially last 7 minutes.

— What, in your opinion, was the key moment today that allowed CSKA to extend the lead to more than 20 points?

— If you see numbers, It's clear that they were really good - 42% for three. And in some important moments they made some shots, three-point shots, you know, and it was very important for them to make an advantage.

— In the first round of the playoffs, Zenit will face Uralmash. You played against this team not long ago. It’s clear that you need to focus on your own game, but what should fans expect from this matchup?

— Yes, we played against them. They played a really good game against us. So, our focus will be on the first game. We have to be ready to put a lot of energy, to be good enough. Our goal is to win the first game and then think about other games. Our goal is to be better than Uralmash, and to go to semifinal for sure.