EuroLeague: Jean Montero Embraces Underdog Role Ahead of Real Madrid Showdown

ATHENS. Jean Montero will face one of the most important nights of his career this Friday in the EuroLeague Final Four semifinal between Valencia Basket and Real Madrid. The Dominican point guard spoke to the media ahead of the matchup and made clear that the orange squad arrives without any inferiority complex after pulling off a historic comeback against Panathinaikos to reach a Final Four for the first time.

"Nobody thought at the start of the season that we were going to be here," Montero acknowledged when discussing the underdog role that has accompanied Valencia Basket throughout the campaign. "When you're the dark horse, you have to have the right mentality and compete as hard as possible."

Far from feeling pressure about facing Real Madrid in Athens, the young wing explained that that underdog status actually frees the team mentally. "I feel great. There's not too much pressure because people think you're going to lose anyway. So you just go out there and play hard."

Montero also highlighted the importance of controlling the game from the start against a rival that Valencia has already faced several times this season. "I'd say it will be key which team controls the game from the beginning," the Dominican said.

Asked about rumors linking him to Olympiacos after eliminating Panathinaikos in the playoffs, Montero admitted that outside noise is inevitable at this stage of the season, though he insisted his only priority is the Final Four. "I try to manage it as best as I can. There's always noise around all players, but right now my goal is to play in the Final Four and do it as well as possible."

The orange squad player also acknowledged that Valencia Basket's surprise factor has practically disappeared after their brilliant series against Panathinaikos. "Now everyone knows us and knows our way of playing, so it doesn't benefit us in the same way anymore."

On the rivalry with Real Madrid, Montero explained that the competitive level of both teams this season has grown the respect between both clubs. "Madrid's biggest rivalry is with Barcelona, but now that we're playing really well I think people also respect the Valencia-Real Madrid matchup a lot."

Additionally, the Dominican confirmed that he sought advice from experienced players before facing his first Final Four, including Errick McCollum. "I spoke with some players who had already lived through this situation before," he said with a smile, though he avoided revealing the details of those conversations.