Olimpia receives Trapani, Mario Fioretti focuses on defense

Mario Fioretti bets on defense

After the painful loss to Bayern Munich in the Euroleague, Olimpia Milano is preparing to return to the LBA court. On Monday, Dec. 23 at the Unipol Forum at 7 p.m. the Milanese team will challenge the newly promoted Trapani Shark in the match valid for the 12th day of the championship.

The red-and-whites got back on their feet in the Euroleague but have stalled in the league, after a partial six wins in seven games, to the point that with four games to go in the first half they need to rack up wins to get a pass for the Italian Cup Final Eight. The Granata come to this game riding a streak of six consecutive wins and are unbeaten on the road (the only losses came at home to Viruts Bologna and Bertram Tortona).

Mario Fioretti, Ettore Messina’s deputy, spoke this way in the press conference on the eve of the game against the Sicilians: "Trapani boasts the best offense in the league: we will have to express ourselves at a high level in getting back on defense, contain their options in the open court and play solid defense on their pick and rolls and one-on-one. On offense, playing with balance creating continuous movement of ball men will beà crucial".

Olimpia will have to do without Josh Nebo, whose promising return against Bayern è was frustrated by further right arm problems.