L'Olimpia Milano puts in the third, Peppe Poeta thanks his people

L’Olimpia Milano scores its third consecutive victory in the tenth day of the Euroleague. At the Assago Forum, the red-and-whites, decimated by absences – including that of coach Ettore Messina – beat ASVEL Villeurbanne 80-72 dragged by Armoni Brooks (23 points).

“I just want to thank the players for the effort, it was not easy, they are a team that competes, with physicality – admitted Peppe Poeta in the press conference -. We were missing a lot of important players, but everyone stepped up and made their contribution. Not only on the court but also off the court for how they supported those who were on the court. I want to thank the guys for a match that was not easy, we were cynical at the end, we take this win and we are happy to be back to 50 percent of wins. And now we prepare for the next one in 48 hours against’Olympiacos”.

“Ettore Messina back with Olympiacos, we don&#8217t know either. He had a fever today, like Shavon [Shields], it is a virus that is going through the Forum. I hope he will come back on Friday and get better right away”.

“It was a little bit of a strange game, with a lot of zone, a lot of defensive changes that take away flows – added Messina’s deputy -. We were good, disciplining, trying to go inside from Booker or attacking mismatches with the outside. I have to say that from that standpoint Ellis had a really mature game both offensively and defensively. I liked the team&#8217s approach. Asvel is a team that makes you play like that, even Fenerbahce last week struggled to express flow basketball. It&#8217s a very important win though, the Euroleague long run of 38 games goes a lot by the not obvious, not beautiful” victories.

“I thank the Forum for the affection, a nice boost of confidence at the beginning, it supported me, it was close to the team in difficult moments. Like when it was as a player, before the game there’s some emotion, you see the game film going. But from the two-ball you are completely involved, you are in the flow. There was no more time for emotions, I tried to help out as much as I could: I thank my assistants, invaluable, and it was an important victory. Much more than my first win in the Euroleague” Poeta concluded.