Xavi Pascual: "In the first 20 minutes we were not sharing the ball enough"
Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual summed up the results of the home match against Uralmash, which ended with the victory of the blue-whites (89:79).
— First of all, thanks to all the fans over here, second to congratulate to Uralmash for this game, it was very difficult to win. Clearly, it's one game that in the first 20 minutes we didn't approach well the game defensively and also offensively. We were not sharing the ball enough and we missed some easy shots near the basket that we cannot miss. And from halftime I think we approach better our defense. We started the third quarter very good defensively, also offensively. At the end of this quarter we could take 7-point advantage. On the beginning of the last quarter, we could go to 12−13 and we managed the advantage until the end. So we are happy for this win, it was very good.
— What do you think about Dwayne Bacon's removal at the end of the match?
— Yes, one situation that during the season it's happened a lot is too many grabs, too many contacts that not officiating and some moments the players became frustrated because of this and they expressed their frustration. The referees are the judge of the game, they decide to officiate any fouls and nothing else, we cannot say anything else.
— What was the most memorable moment of the season so far for you?
— I think, in general, we are in a good level during all the season. For sure, the game here at home against CSKA was one very beautiful game for us. Was important to win and also I see the faces of our supporters how much they enjoy so maybe the best moment of the season until now maybe was this game here at home.
— How much the loss against UNICS in the last match became a cold shower before this game?
— No, no. We can’t win all the games. We are going to lose more games. Every time that you lose you are unhappy, when you win you are happy. This is what it is but nothing else this is part of the of the competition, it's very long competition. If I am not wrong today is the game 21. So in front of us 23 games more regular season. We are going to win we are going to lose.
— It was the final game of the 2024. We will make any conclusions in May or June. But overall, how would you evaluate this year for Zenit?
— We are in the right spot until now. We create a new team, completely new. In the beginning it was not so easy. But step by step we are a little bit more stable in our game. Despite the fact that still we are so too much emotional, we need to control a little bit more the tempo of the game in some particular games.
— We have two weeks until the next game in Kazan, how many day-offs will you give to the players?
— Some of them, but this is internal things. But we are going to be ready for the next game, you have to be sure.
