Euroleague, Ettore Messina reveals biggest concern

“Protecting us against their offensive transition will be a key factor.”

Coming off a sprint victory against Brindisi in the championship, Ettore Messuna’s Olimpia Milano is preparing for the treacherous trip to Belgrade, where Partizan led by that old fox Zeljko Obradovic awaits it. The coach of the meneghini does not trust the opponent, fresh off two defeats in as many matches played in the top continental club competition.

“For us, meanwhile, it’s about the opportunity to re-embrace two players who have given us a lot in the past like Kevin Punter and Zach LeDay,” the former Gregg Popovich assistant at the San Antonio Spurs began in a press conference. “Obviously we have the utmost respect for Partizan and Coach Obradovic, so we know we are in for a very difficult competition.”

“Defending well against their penetrations and protecting ourselves against their offensive transition will be the key factors. Another important element will be our ability to adapt to an environment that will be very hot,” Messina concluded.

Last season, Ettore Messina’s team returned to win the Scudetto, snatching it from Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s jerseys. The red-and-whites, who had finished in second place right behind Sergio Scariolo’s team in the regular season, immediately brought the court factor to their side in the final series and never let the Felsinians catch them again. In the Euroleague, Sergio Rodriguez (who said goodbye to the Red Shoes in the summer to return to Spain) and his teammates were eliminated by Ergin Ataman’s Anadolu Efes, who would win the tournament for the second year in a row.