Ettore Messina and the return of ‘Chacho’ Rodriguez: “Fundamental”

“It changed our history and our international credibility.”

More than 10,000 spectators are expected at the Mediolanum Forum for the big Euroleague showdown that will pit Ettore Messina’s Olimpia Milano against Real Madrid on Thursday night. The Iberian team, just back from a home loss against Virtus Bologna, must climb the ladder in a ranking that now reads 2 wins and 3 losses in the 5 games played. Slightly better is the balance of the meneghini, who have won 3 of the 5 matches played, with 4 away games already under their belt.

On the eve of the match, coach of the meneghini Ettore Messina spoke in a press conference. Here are his words.

“We are trying to grow, to find our balance, to increase quality minutes within the same game, but without getting depressed when we make mistakes. Against Real Madrid we will have to have more physicality from the start. Both in defense and offense. However, this is an important game because we will celebrate the return to Milan of ‘Chacho’ Rodriguez. He was a fundamental player for us, he changed our history, our international credibility, giving us so many emotions. I don’t forget the joy of seeing him play even in moments that were not easy,” Messina said.

Last season, Ettore Messina’s team returned to win the Scudetto, snatching it from Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s jerseys. The Biancorossi, 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.