Olimpia Milano, Ettore Messina realistic on the eve of the Athens trip

Ettore Messina knows beating Panathinaikos at home will be difficult

Olimpia Milano is approaching Wednesday night’s challenge in Athens against Panathinaikos with mixed feelings: on the one hand, the fear of suffering, at Pao’s home, what would be the eighth defeat in a row in the Euroleague; on the other hand, the newfound confidence after the dominant performance in Sassari last Sunday in the league.

At the presentation, the coach of the Red Shoes, Ettore Messina, was as few words as he was realistic: “For us this is another very difficult and important test,” he said, “We come from a complicated period in the EuroLeague, but also from a good game in the Italian league. We know that against the energy that Panathinaikos expresses especially at home and against the explosiveness of its athletes we will need to be very patient and control rebounds to try to win the game.”

He was echoed by Olimpia guard Naz Mitrou-Long: “We are going to face a very good team, which has won a lot lately, is in excellent condition and has the advantage of playing in its historic facility. But for us it is an important game, maybe more than any other. We know our situation and as our coach said we will have to play this match like a final.”