Monaco, defeated against Milan, chains a fifth defeat in the Euroleague
Beaten by Milan this Friday, December 10 (71-65), Monaco is now back to the wall. The Principality’s club, which aims to qualify for the top at the end of the season, will have to win on December 15 in Kaunas, the red lantern of the competition, in order to break the current negative spiral. Monaco has not won in the Euroleague since November 12 against Bayern Munich (94-71). And its star Mike James played less than three minutes against Milan.
“He wanted to play“Said a trainer son Zvezdan Mitrovic.”But he had not recovered well from his injury. It was too dangerous for him. I wanted to protect him for the next game. I decided he wouldn’t play anymore.“From the start of the meeting, the Monegasques knew he would come out with the perfect match to win against the team of legendary coach Ettore Messina. Milan and his fiery defense have undermined the attacking ambitions of Dwayne Bacon and others.
⚔️ The # Roca team believed in the comeback at the end of the match but finally bowed @ OlimpiaMI1936 pic.twitter.com/GVLNa0GY8O
– AS Monaco Basket (@ASMonaco_Basket) December 10, 2021
Led by a good Sharon Shield then a skillful Sergio Rodriguez, Milan quickly broke away (2-9, 4th). It took a superb job from Donatas Motiejunas for Monaco to give the change for a moment (8-11, 6th). But the Milanese collective game as well as the poor skill of the players of the “Roca Team” (1/9 to three points at half-time) gradually had the effect of a steamroller.
At the end of the first quarter, Milan were already 12 points ahead (14-26). Even if an action by the two best Monegasques (pass from Paris Lee for a dunk from Donta Hall) woke up the Monegasque public, even if the defense which followed a perfect summer, Milan did not give in.
Besides, Hall and then Bacon were physically abused. Mike James, therefore, played too little to weigh. After leading by 16 points (23-39, 18th), Milan reached the break at +12 (27-39). On resumption, Monaco deceived for a few minutes, before giving up (44-57 at the end of the 3rd quarter). Eight minutes to go, Milan, who led by 21 units (44-65), managed. Quietly … Even if Monaco came back to 6 points (65-71), it was too late.