Perhaps in those moments of great emotion, Chus Mateo was not very aware. His name was already next to the legends, with that of Joaquín Hernández, Pedro Ferrándiz, Lolo Sainz and Pablo Laso as coaches of Real Madrid champions of Europe. Only Xavi Pascual joins as a Spaniard, when he led Barca to the top in 2010. A milestone for his first year in front of the white bench, eternal and reputed assistant with just a couple of failed attempts (Unicaja and Fuenlabrada) as first sword.
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Euroleague.
The intra-history of Llull's miracle: "Sergi, do you want it?"
- Editor: LUCAS SÁEZ-BRAVO (Special Envoy)Kaunas
The intra-history of Llull's miracle: "Sergi, do you want it?"
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Euroleague.
Real Madrid culminates with a basket for the history of Llull the Eleventh of the impossible
- Editor: LUCAS SÁEZ-BRAVO (Special Envoy)Kaunas
Real Madrid culminates with a basket for the history of Llull the Eleventh of the impossible
Mateo's low profile has been undergoing a mutation during the last weeks. The playoff against Partizan was a liberation for the Spaniard, who appeared a smile that he had rarely shown. In his speeches after the successive successes, no trace of rancor, forgetting the outstanding accounts that he could well have settled. Because all around him were bullets since he agreed to get on a train of those that pass once in a lifetime. Take the baton of who was his boss and try to give continuity to a unique era. The conflict of Pablo Laso with the club -especially with the director of the section, Juan Carlos Sánchez- for his controversial departure ended up harming him, accused of treason and careerism. With part of the press against it, the suspicious fans and the cruelty of social networks, Chus Mateo opted for work and silence (interviews told) as the only recipe. Even after the setback of the Cup in Badalona. "I have always been under the magnifying glass, I assume it," he said after the conquest of the Eleventh against Olympiacos.
On Sunday, in the bowels of the Zalgirio Arena, happiness was joined by emotion. There was a significant moment at the official press conference, with MVP Tavares at the side. The giant, without prior question, began his speech in English with a plea in favor of his technician. And his words were neither brief nor imposted. "My congratulations to Chus Mateo, who has suffered more than everyone so that we could achieve everything we have achieved. We are here for him, because he has believed in us and has had a lot of confidence. Many had to apologize, because there has been a lot of criticism. He is the boss, when you talk about Madrid, you have to talk about him. He deserves it more than anyone because he is one of the best people I have ever met and has managed everything," said the African. Beside him, the technician's eyes filled with tears.
Florentino Pérez, with Chus Mateo.Enric FontcubertaEFE
A while before the president of Real Madrid, who had traveled to Kaunas for the occasion, also threw him a hood. "I'm happy for him, because I think it's been a difficult year and I think it's been unfair and today we're giving him recognition because from now on he's a great coach, that nobody has any doubt," Florentino Pérez said in the microphones of DAZN.
A few words that are something more. Because, although it seems incredible, not even Mateo himself is sure of his continuity next year. Even having raised a Euroleague in which he was tearing apart, gradually, in the quarters to Zeljko Obradovic, in the semifinals to Sarunas Jasikevicius and in the final to Georgio Bartzokas, technicians with a thousand battles more than him behind him. When asked about the continuity of his veterans Rudy, Llull and Sergio Rodríguez, Mateo pronounced a significant "that will have to be asked to the coach of Real Madrid next year". During these last months the club has negotiated without blush with Andrea Trinchieri and Xavi Pascual and also appeared with force the name of Sergio Scariolo.
During this historic month of wonders, the coach trained at the Augustinian school has shown an enormous tactical baggage and, above all, an amazing ability to adapt to casualties, sanctions and moments of form. Among his magic tricks will always be that 2-3 zone that made his rivals doubt and doubt, the inclusion of Eli Ndiaye as four starters in the absence of Deck and Yabusele and the reinvention of Mario Hezonja as a power forward, 35 minutes in the final. Facts that contrast with the criticism of his work and on which the coach pronounced an interesting reflection. "Today, 'how good Chus Mateo,' they will say. And no, I've just done my job. I'm right and I'm wrong. There are people who think without knowing anything about basketball, because giving an opinion is free, but I respect it, I can't be worried about everything that is said. If someone thinks that Chus Mateo is a package, that's it, I can't do anything, I'll be a package. But today I am not so good either, I want the defeat not to be dramatic and that the victory is celebrated respecting the opposite, "he launched and had previously spoken about the bar of social networks: "It's easy, free, behind a pseudonym someone hides. But when I take this job I know it's part of the game."
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