Ettore Messina: “Olimpia-Virtus as Lakers-Celtics.”

The words of Ettore Messina on the eve of Olimpia Milano-Virtus Bologna

Ettore Messina spoke at a press conference on the eve of Game 1 of the LBA playoff final against Virtus Bologna, scheduled at the Mediolanum Forum on Friday at 8:30 pm. “I expect a very balanced series, in which it is impossible to make predictions about the outcome,” he stressed. “Between us and Virtus there is a rivalry that reminds me of the one between the Lakers and Celtics in the 1980s, which played a decisive role in revitalizing the NBA, not only for the spectacle on the court, but also for the visibility of the movement and the great quality of the players.

“The little things will decide the individual games starting with Game 1, which today has all our attention, so mainly defense and rebounding so as not to depend too much on shooting percentages,” added the coach of the biancorossi. “We face this final with humility, knowing that we have lost four times out of five against Bologna, but with the confidence generated by the quality of play expressed during the playoffs.

“Continuing to play with cohesion and courage, we will try to get the result we desire for the property, for ourselves and for the public that has always supported us, especially in these playoffs,” Messina concluded.