Peppe Poeta apologizes for the first half in Paris

Coach Peppe Poeta spoke hotly after the defeat in Paris that further distanced Olimpia Milano from the Euroleague play-in, which virtually no one believes in anymore.

“We played a very negative first half, and I take all the responsibility for that. In the second half the team reacted well, but it was not enough. We managed to come back up to -1 thanks to a good reaction, but in the decisive moments we missed important shots, while they were more concrete. However, what happened in the first 20 minutes remains unacceptable. We need to find more continuity throughout the game (for all 40 minutes) if we want to compete at the Euroleague level. Today we alternated 20 positive minutes with 20 very negative ones, and this is not enough.”

On the change in the second half: “The game plan remained the same. The attitude completely changed after halftime, and that’s what allowed us to come back up to -1. There were no tactical changes: we continued to play the same way, but with a different attitude.”

In Olimpia Milano’s house, everyone is focused on the season finale. However, as is normal, one must also reckon with the future. There are many issues to be resolved regarding next season’s roster. The risk is to lose some key elements.

While waiting for news on Brooks’ renewal (the American has reiterated, several times, his willingness to stay), the red and white club also has to reckon with several rumors, coming from Spain, that would have Barcelona on the trail of one of the key players of the current roster at coach Poeta’s disposal. The blaugrana’s target would be center Nebo.