after Real, Monaco wants to tame Barça
With a record of nine wins for three losses in the Euroleague, the Roca Team can no longer hide: it is one of the serious candidates for the Final Four this season. On the strength of her victory after extra time in Madrid, she receives Barcelona this Wednesday at 7 p.m. to confirm her status a little more.
This is now seven consecutive successes for AS Monaco Basket, including the last two snatched after extra time on the floors of Real Madrid (94-95) and Boulogne-Levallois (82-95) Victor Wembanyama (27 points, 11 rebounds ).
The dynamic is optimal, in particular because coach Sasa Obradovic can rely on his bench depth. “It’s very good collective work, explained Elie Okobo. The guys who came off the bench really did the job. We have to continue at this pace. The schedule is busy, big games are coming very quickly so we’re already rocking to the next.”
Barça can once again rely on Mirotic, Euroleague MVP last season
Sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury during the offseason, Nikola Mirotic returned at the start of the month to the delight of his coach Saras Jasikevicius. The Spanish international has been running for four games at an average of 16.5 points but above all brings his leadership back. It may be his own, in case of victory, to return to the level of ASM in the standings.
The Monegasques, on the other hand, do without their American leader Jordan Loyd. The second highest scorer in the Euroleague (12.9), after Mike James (18.8), suffered a craniofacial trauma and a fractured nose with displacement after a collision with Guerschon Yabusele in Madrid. After his nasal bone surgery, the date of his return to competition is still uncertain
“It’s up to us to reproduce what ASVEL did to beat them”
“After the victory in Madrid, if we manage to win at home against Barcelona it will be great, for our confidence but also for our journey in the Euroleague, declared Matthew Strazel. For a young player like me, it’s always rewarding to play big teams.”
The Catalans, winners in 2003 and 2010 of the most prestigious of European competitions, have just lost to their former team (74-75). “It’s up to us to reproduce what ASVEL did to beat them,” smiles the former Villeurbannais leader who arrived on the Rock this summer. Namely, an exemplary and united defense, if possible for 40 minutes.