Monaco turned the other cheek
A week after drinking the cup on the Partizan floor, Monaco took a slap again, Thursday evening against Etoile Rouge (92-68) during the 19th day, for their return to Belgrade. Beaten by 24 points, the “Roca Team”, which descended from the podium, even suffered its heaviest defeat in the competition.
And Monaco turned the other cheek. Beaten (100-80) on January 5 on the Partizan floor, the “Roca Team” had made the trip to Belgrade again, Thursday this time to face the Red Star, on behalf of the 19th day of Euroleague, with the intention of proving that the slap received at the start of the year at the current 11th in the ranking was only an accident.
Not only did the Monegasques completely fail in their mission, but they also took the water again on the Belgrade floor, with moreover the heaviest defeat ever recorded in the competition by the men of the Principality, corrected again more severely (92-68, -24) than last week against Partizan (loss of 20 points). The good news for the vice-champions of France, who will still get part of the Top 3 before this match, is that they will no longer have to return by the end of this regular season phase in Belgrade, which their success does not manifest. The bad news, on the other hand, is that this 7th defeat for the Monegasques, who no longer managed to line up two victories, completely relaunched the race for the first places.
Monaco remain on three away defeats, including two slaps
Thus, Monaco, 3rd before making the trip to Serbia again, is back a notch, while its direct competitors are getting closer. Just punishment for the players of Sasa Obradovic, who quickly took the water (54-36 at the break) against the Red Star despite the efforts of Mike James. The only Monegasque not to sink in the collective drowning on Thursday evening, the American leader has indeed once again made a superb copy, with 26 points (including 5 of 8 with three rebounds), 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Seven days earlier, he had sunk, like all his teammates. The Monegasques then recovered at home against Olympiakos. The calendar has this time reserved for Monaco during the next day a trip to Fenerbahçe, 3rd. Or, outside, the “Roca Boys” remain on three losses, including the two slaps received in Belgrade. There is cause for concern.