Monaco hope Mike James returns against Milan in Euroleague
The Euroleague is back at Gaston-Médecin. After four European defeats in a row on the stage, the Roca Team challenge the AX Armani Exchange Milan on Friday.
AS Monaco Basket is going through its worst series of the season in the Euroleague: 4 successive setbacks. Zvezdan Mitrovic’s men, who have regained confidence in Betclic Elite by beating Champagne Basket (90-83) then ASVEL (84-82) at home, want to go on and enjoy victory in Europe again. For this meeting, the return of Mike James is hoped for while Yakuba Ouattara, Leo Westermann and Jerry Boutsiele are withdrawn.
After a thunderous start – 5 victories in the first 5 matches – Milan has slowed down at European level and remains like Monaco on 4 defeats, the last on the floor of ALBA Berlin (76-81). The Italian club is still firmly anchored in the top 8 and currently occupies 5th place in the standings with a record of 8 wins for 5 losses.
Among the players to watch on the Milan side: the back Shavon Shields (12.9 points and 4.1 rebounds on average), the Italian pivot Nicolo Melli, passed by the NBA and the New Orleans Pelicans (8.2 points and 5, 7 rebounds) and the leader Sergio Rodriguez, pillar of the Spanish selection from 2005 to 2021 on the XXL list (8.2 points and 4.6 assists). Finally, how not to mention Ettore Messina, a legendary coach on the Milan bench with 4 Euroleague victories: two with Virtus Bologna and as many with CSKA Moscow.
“Against Milan, we will have to deal with a reduced squad due to injuries and we will take stock with the medical staff. This month of December is still very busy with many matches to come ”, said coach Zvezdan Mitrovic.
Photo: Mike James (Euroleague)