Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Play-In Showdown.
Pregame quotes hub, play-in: 'There are no excuses at this point'
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8 Mins read
FC Bayern Munich vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)
Gordon Herbert, FC Bayern Munich head coach
"After the poor performance in our last game against Fenerbahce, we have a chance to bounce back in front of our own fans. Of course, there’s pressure now, but we’re confident and can handle it. Pressure also means you’re fighting for something meaningful — something you’ve earned. That’s what we’ve worked for all year. The key will be to start better than we did against Fener. Then the crowd will really be in the game with us. It’s a do-or-die game — we have to come out focused and pay attention to the details on every possession. In big games like this, it’s also crucial to stick together — on the court and on the bench — staying tightly connected, even when mistakes happen. We’ll need to go beyond our limits in terms of effort. It’s our fifth game in 10 days, okay, but there are no excuses at this point."
Nick Weiler-Babb, FC Bayern Munich guard
"We’re not in the playoffs yet, unfortunately, but we still have the chance to make it. It’s going to be a very hard-fought game — a lot is on the line for both teams. The good thing is we’re playing at home with the crowd behind us. Crvena Zvezda is a very physical team, and they have a lot of scoring threats. The key will be which team plays better defense."
Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade head coach
"We are starting the play-in – this is different from the league part. This is a knockout game. The result is very important. We know the importance of the game, we have to fight hard because we are playing against a strong team, especially on their home court. They are talented, especially on offense, so we have to play as well as possible. It is important that we control the game and play good defense; they have such a team and players who can find their rhythm and kill you. That's why I say that we have to control the game, to do what we can. To read their intentions."
Dejan Davidovac, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade forward
"A difficult game, for sure. They play well at home, where they've had just four defeats all season. They are in a good rhythm, and so are we. We've lost some games, we've been unlucky, but I think we're playing well even though the games we've lost – we've lost in tight finishes near the end. We are aware that we are playing well – we will go to Munich with that mentality. We are in a good rhythm and we should continue like this."
Real Madrid vs. Paris Basketball (21:00 CET)
Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach
"We have to achieve the goal we set at the beginning of the year: to fight to be as high as possible, and this play-in is a bridge to the playoffs that we have to take advantage of. I think the team is mentally strong and I feel that we are ready to face a big game at Movistar Arena, with our fans, knowing that what happens depends a lot on our performance as a team and our mentality: not turning the ball over, not thinking the game is won or lost because we are up or down on the scoreboard, but fighting until the end. We need the help of our fans and I think we have earned the support of our fans at home to go to the playoffs."
Alberto Abalde, Real Madrid forward
"We head into this play-in with a lot of optimism. We expect a very difficult game against a team that is enjoying a spectacular season, a special and different team because of the way they play like Paris Basketball. Paris has a very high rhythm, many weapons on offense, many options: creators like TJ Shorts and [Nadir] Hifi and then a good group of players who accompany and complement them, who create danger at any time. We must try to prevent them from playing comfortably to lower their scoring and be solid, control the rebounding and, from there, impose our rhythm. It is a game that could allow us to qualify for the playoffs and therefore it is key. The home court factor is also very important because we feel very supported by our fans at the Movistar Arena. We play there with extra motivation and we are sure that tomorrow they will help us."
