EA7 Olimpia Milano: Messina admits roster mistakes and analyzes the season
EA7 Olimpia Milano failed to reach the EuroLeague playoffs for the second consecutive year, finishing with a 15-19 record. Coach Ettore Messina admitted errors in roster construction, particularly at the point guard position, where Kevin Pangos, Naz Mitrou-Long, Maodo Lo, and Shabazz Napier underperformed.
What went wrong in the EuroLeague season?
Messina acknowledged that the team struggled to replace Sergio Rodríguez and Malcolm Delaney, who left for other clubs. "We didn’t guarantee the same level in that position," he told La Repubblica. The lack of a reliable point guard weighed heavily on the team, which reached the Final Four and playoffs last year.
Nikola Mirotic’s impact and hopes for the Italian playoffs
Integrating Nikola Mirotic into the team wasn’t easy, as Messina admitted: "We had difficulties, which were later resolved in many moments." With one game left in the LBA regular season, Milan is second with a 21-8 record, tied with league leader Virtus Bologna. "There are more teams capable of thinking about the title compared to last season," Messina added.
What to expect in the playoffs?
Messina hopes the team can repeat its 2023 result, when it reached the final. This time, however, the challenge will be tougher, with a possible best-of-five final series. "We need to understand Nikola Mirotic’s condition," the coach concluded.