Gigi Datome added to Milan's list of absences for the Italian derby / News - Basketnews.com

Luigi Datome will accompany injured Shavon Shields and Billy Baron who will sit out Olimpia Milano's next EuroLeague game vs. Virtus Bologna.

Credit: Giuseppe Cottini/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Giuseppe Cottini/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Virtus Segafredo Bologna met each other in the EuroLeague for the first and last time in 1997, but they are very familiar since they played 16 times over a two-year span in Italy with a 8-8 record.

Luigi Datome

MIN:14.09PTS:4.5 (36.36%)REB:1.5As:0ST:0.5BL:0TO:0GM:2ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

Now, as the two Italian powerhouses are getting ready to lock horn on the EuroLeague front once again, coach Ettore Messina has a lot of problems to deal with.

Shavon Shields and Billy Baron are both out with injuries, while Gigi Datome is also expected to miss the derby after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

In this regard, Virtus have Awudu Abass out while everybody else recovered, including Toko Shengelia. Bologna are 2-4 overall, while the home side stand at 3-3.

"We face an excellent team, a team built with playoff aspirations," Messina said.

"Raising the level of our defense in order to control the rebounds and find the right balance between shooting from inside and from three-point range will be a fundamental aspect to try to be good at this high level. Obviously playing without Shields, Baron and unfortunately Datome will be tough, but we have complete trust for the guys that will play more and will help us."

Team captain Nicolo Melli added that "it's a difficult game. We are coming from two straight EuroLeague losses and this is further reason to try to get back on a winning track and win the first home game of our season.

Generally speaking, it is a positive sign that after so many years an Italian derby is going to be played on a EuroLeague stage. This is an event worthy of celebration. We’ll try to do whatever it takes to get the win."

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