Ettore Messina (Milan) “Mike James can change any game by himself”
AS Monaco will deliver a match this evening in Milan (8:45 p.m. on La Chaîne L’Equipe) which, in the event of a successful outcome, will allow them to definitively secure their place in the top 8. The Milanese await the Roca Team with firm feet .
Olimpia Milan have a solid record of 11 wins and 3 losses at home, and they are now certain to have home advantage in the playoffs.
“We have the chance to take another step forward, to improve our game, but against a really dangerous team like Monaco, who are trying to present their position in the playoffs, it will certainly be a difficult and hard-fought match”, summarizes Malcolm Delaney.
Coach Ettore Messina takes as a reference the last victory over Bayern Munich (84-77). He is wary of Mike James, who, insufficiently recovered from an injury, played less than three minutes in the first leg – victory for Milan, 65-71 -, a player he did not want to keep in his squad when he took on the team in 2019, suspicious of its out-of-control nature.
“It’s a tough game, against an opponent who is doing very well, extremely athletic, with top scorers in all roles on the perimeter and Mike James who of course can change any game for himself- same. Therefore the defensive aspect and the control of rebounds will once again be fundamental. We will have to start from the intensity shown in the second half of the victory over Bayern”.
The Milanese coach was questioned about the case of the Greek Dinos Mitoglou, who was convicted of doping, and which followed that of Riccardo Moraschini.
“As a club, in recent years and this year, we have always tried our best to play fairly, respecting ourselves, respecting our opponents and respecting the game. We have no tolerance for the doping, whether for superficiality or willful misconduct. It’s the only choice that counts, we can never consider doping, it’s important for us as a club and it’s important for the group we represent. I hope Mitoglou can explain himself, that it was a mistake, obviously we are waiting for more information on this case, but the most important aspect – I repeat – is respect for our work. I am extremely sorry for all the people who worked in our medical staff. These are people who remember the rules every day, who are very attentive to everything. »
Photos: Mike James (Monaco, Euroleague) and Shavon Shields (Armani Milan)