Olimpia Milano, Ettore Messina unabashed: “It’s a relief.”

Olimpia Milan returns to victory against Red Star

A relieved Ettore Messina commented to the official channels of the meneghino club on Olimpia Milano’s return to victory in the Euroleague, which came after nine consecutive defeats in Europe’s top competition. In fact, the meneghini won 67-71 on the court of the Serbian Red Star.

“It’s a relief. I think I’ve done well in my career, but you lose nine games and nothing seems to matter anymore, so certainly it’s a relief. There is no pressure from the club. But we were sorry, we still are, I have guys who maybe play bad but play hard. And every once in a while even if you’re sixty years old and have a good career behind you, a pat on the back is nice,” the Red Shoes coach admitted, unabashedly.

Then Messina commented on the victory, “We deserved to win after leading the whole game against a team in great shape, which has grown a lot in recent weeks. It was a great victory. At the beginning of the fourth period, when we were a little tired probably, we missed some good shots, but there our defense was outstanding, and won the game for us. It was a win we were waiting for, I hope it gives us confidence for the future. I am happy for our players, who always gave everything, and we are still without Shavon Shields and Kevin Pangos, and Gigi Datome also. Billy Baron scored a great basket at the end. I want to make it clear that we have lost so many comebacks by suffering comebacks, in the final, and then we have maybe still a small chance to reach the eighth place and we cannot afford to give up a point, a basket. That’s why, ahead by four, I called time-out. It was certainly not disrespectful. This is a country that understands basketball, so I think it’s clear, but I wanted to reiterate it.”