2024-03-28 11:35:58
Last week, “Žalgiris” defeated the Italian “Virtus” of Bologna 96:812 and the Spanish “Baskonia” of Vitoria 94:76.
On Thursday, Andrea Trinchieri’s students will face the representatives of Olimpia Milan, who also celebrated two victories last week – against Sarūnas Jasikevicius’ Istanbul Fenerbahce 77:76 and Donatas Motiejūnas’ Monaco 98:80.
After these successes, the Milan club led by Ettore Messina entered the top ten zone, and the Kaunas are breathing down their backs with 13 wins.
The situation is such that during the remaining three rounds, “Žalgiris” basically does not have even the slightest luxury of losing, if they plan to continue fighting in the tournament after the end of the regular season.
Moreover, Zalgiris must deal with Olimpia if they are thinking of having an advantage between them. Milan, competing at home in the first round match, lost to Kaunas 70:83.
“We all understand what it will be like during the match. We all have to be together in this match, both the fans and the team. There must be maximum energy in the arena.
You have to think of this match as the most important one, because after that we have two more important battles: with Monaco and the top clash with Real Madrid.
“Milan is now in the best form, but the point is simple – this is how the schedule was made, and the Italians were able to break the same “Monaco” and “Fenerbahce”, “Zalgiris” strategist A. Trinchieri testified before the confrontation.
The Kaunas club strategist also stated that “Žalgiris” will also play in this match without the injured Latvian Rolandas Šmitas: “We will not have the important player R.Šmitas. We have to accept that.”
When announcing the match, the coach assured that Milan has serious stars – Nicolas Mirotic, Shavon Shelds, Nicolas Melli, but the Kaunas will have the support of their arena.
– The opponents are one of the best defensive teams in the Euroleague? This is their formula for success?
– The Milan club is very good, but they had a lot of problems with injuries and it affected the season. And may still have. It slowed down the team’s development, but now everyone in the Olimpia team is healthy and fighting.
– N. Mirotić’s move from the Catalan team to Milan last season was probably the most important news in the Euroleague. Do you see a change in his game comparing Barcelona and Milan?
– The way the question was presented, it is automatically a kind of trap. But I will not go into them and explain my position.
Every player who plays for one team for a number of years and then moves to another starts out playing a little differently. Because the coach does his work, there is a different environment, a different character of the team.
I know that Nicola is called the greatest talent in the “fourth position” in the entire Euroleague. He was injured, he was out of the lineup, but now he is playing the way he should be playing, he is showing his potential.
– How would you describe Milan’s strategist Ettore Messina, who is called a professor?
– This is one of the best coaches in the history of the Euroleague. Everyone can see it. You can’t judge him for his losses. Or exalted for victories. I appreciate what he brings to the organization. He is one of the best coaches and it is obvious.
– Currently, three Italian coaches are coaching the clubs in the Euroleague. Until recently there were also Gianmarco Pozzecco and Sergio Scariolo. How would you explain the dominance of Italian coaches?
– There are not enough of them. The coaching school in Italy is of a high standard. I wish there were more of them.
– Lithuania currently has only one coach in the Euroleague – Šarūnas Jasikevičius.
– But you also have only one team in the Euroleague.
– N. Mirotičius and Sh. Shields are the team’s most productive players. Can we believe that it is necessary to stop them if the people of Kaunas are thinking about victory?
– No. They have at least 6-7 players who can score 20 points. I will give a simple example. N. Melli scored over 20 points in the final four and just because the team lost, he did not become the most useful player.
If he can score that much in the Final Four, he can do it in any game.
He is a player who puts the team above himself and unites it. If we focus only on Sh.Shields and N.Mirotic, then someone else will definitely shoot.
– How do you assess the appearance of the relegation teams in the Euroleague?
– I think it’s wonderful. Think about everything that has been going on from positions 9 to 15-16 in the recent period. Teams are live.
Look at Zalgiris. When I arrived, we were relegated from everywhere. We only kept hope alive because of the playoff format. There is nothing to think about – this is a wonderful thing.
Yes, more matches, more stress, but competition needs small changes. I believe that these small changes push the EuroLeague forward.
2024-03-28 11:35:58