At Olimpia, they’re wary of Cantù: “Zero points doesn’t mean they lack talent and quality.”

Monday Night in the Italian league features one of the most exciting and tradition-rich matchups in Italian basketball. Cantù and Olimpia Milano will face off for the 175th time, in a derby that holds special significance for both fan bases. The game will take place at the Desio arena, a venue that has previously hosted Olimpia’s home games in emergency situations and currently serves as Cantù’s home court, pending their move to the new city arena, which is scheduled to open later this season.

The Cantù team heads into this matchup going through a rough patch, having suffered five losses in the first five rounds of the league season. The club has sought to strengthen the roster by adding Osvaldas Olisevicius, while on the bench it can count on the experience of Frank Vitucci, one of the most seasoned coaches on the Italian scene. The coach, incidentally, knows Darius Thompson well, having helped develop his skills during their two years together in Brindisi.

Olimpia Milano, too, heads into the derby needing a positive result. The two losses suffered in the first five league games have already reduced the red-and-whites’ margin for error, and they now need to find greater consistency. Despite the energy expended during a particularly intense week—spent entirely in Athens—Milan cannot afford any lapses in concentration.

To emerge victorious from Desio, Olimpia will above all need to match the intensity that Cantù is likely to bring to the court. The home-court advantage could play a significant role, considering how passionately and determinedly the home crowd has always embraced this rivalry. It therefore promises to be a challenge in which—beyond the standings and the two teams’ differing form—focus, energy, and the ability to manage decisive moments will be crucial.

“The fact that Cantù hasn’t won doesn’t mean they lack the individual talent and quality to make this a challenging game for us, especially after a week on the road with two EuroLeague games,” said Emilio Kovacic. “We’ve prepared for this game by focusing closely on our opponents while also working on how to sustain the quality of our play for longer stretches of time,”