Olimpia knocked out, for Ettore Messina no step backward

The words of Ettore Messina after the defeat against Panathinaikos

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Coach Ettore Messina commented in a press conference on the defeat against Panathinaikos, which è imposed 76-68 in the 16th day of the Euroleague. "First of all I want to thank Billy Baron, who was not in a condition to play, but wanted to do it to help the team – he stressed -. As you saw, the fact that he fell on the same arm [injured] in Wednesday’s game led him to be in a bad physical condition.

"Having said that, the team fought and gave everything,” added the Red Shoes coach. “With three minutes to go we were tied, and at that moment we missed two/three plays on offense that probably could have changed the game. But that doesn’t change my opinion that the guys fought hard, some were tired but we will keep working. Adding Shabazz [Napier] and hopefully some of the injury" players.

"I don&#39t see it as a step backward, forò I don&#39t know whether because of fatigue – because for obvious reasons we are playing with players who do 30 minutes a game – or because of their very physical defense, in some moments we had very little patience. We didn't attack the area, with penetrations, we took refuge on the three-point shot as if it was the easiest solution and this we cannot afford. This è was a step backward. In all the last games we had attacked the area more often, then afterwards eventually reopening for the shot. We shot too few free throws, also because of honestly reviewable refereeing".

"Però it è s not easy, when you are with lactic acid going to your head. The first half è was more than good, especially with counterattacks, we couldn&#39t do it after that. Also because of their physical defense: Jerian Grant è was sent on a mission, technical, on Shavon Shields. Lì you need maybe someone else to jump out. Great first half by Voigtmann, second half had no more;. Melli the same thing. Diego [Flaccadori] did as much as he could: he had a bad moment in the first half, but he è came back with great personality in the second half. Important that he played with personality " concluded Messina.