Nicolo Melli on Armani Milan's aspirations: 'No one will be happy with a semi-final' / News - Basketnews.com

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

As AX Armani Exchange Milan get ready to take on Anadolu Efes Istanbul for the EuroLeague playoffs, with a Final Four spot at stake, team captain Nicolo Melli is aware of how hard the task for his team is going to be.

Nicolo Melli

MIN:24.77PTS:8.03 (56.11%)REB:6.71As:1.32ST:1.13BL:0.35TO:1.06GM:31ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

"They are the champions. A team capable of beating anyone with their experience, talent and depth. A series can overturn any prediction or situation," the Italian forward told La Repubblica-Milano.

"We come off a very good EuroLeague season, we've been in the top 4 all year long. We lost some stupid games and won others not taken for granted. Until recent years, winning in Barcelona was a miracle, now it is a goal - and this speaks volumes. The approach of our opponents has also changed," he contends.

Last year, Milan reached the Final Four, but lost to Barcelona in the last possession. In the Serie A, Ettore Messina's team was swept 4-0 by Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

"More than anything, we want to win. You will never hear anyone happy with a semi-final, everyone looks at the big picture, even us who are not the number one in Europe. In the EuroLeague, a shot like the one Kevin Punter missed last year is enough to change everything.

Think about how long it took CSKA to win again, or my Fenerbahce team, who almost lost a semi-final to Zalgiris. The realistic goal is the Final Four."

It is a fact that Virtus Bologna are ahead of Armani at the moment. Melli has no problem to admit it.

"It is true, but the important stuff starts now. And I do not forget about Brescia, who have made a resounding league run. However, it's nice that there is this rivalry in Italy, as it happens in all major leagues: Real-Barca in Spain, Olympiacos-Panathinaikos in Greece, Efes-Fenerbahce in Turkey. I hope that Virtus will return to the EuroLeague".

Credit Michele Nucci/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire

3-pointers this season

36%9,0Points made:9,0Accuracy:35,7%Place in standings:8Record max:14Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Sergio RodriguezTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

After spending two seasons in the NBA, Melli says he's not missing "anything."

"I am happy to be back in Europe, Italy and Milan. Obviously, I did not like that I played so little, but it was an experience that a few athletes can experience. My style of play has always been more European," he says.

One thing that hasn't change is Ettore Messina's mentality, according to Melli.

"He always asks a lot, and you have to be ready, without thinking about any mistakes or the previous game. If we are at the top it is because our coach is demanding."

As fans' expectations of the team are sky-high, any misstep gets heavily criticized on social media. But Melli is prepared to take that too.

"Since I went to play outside of Italy, I stopped looking at what people write on social media. They only notice you if you play well.

But in Italy there are 60 million virologists and technical commissioners, how could there not be a million Armani Milano experts? In fact, I saw fans being engaged more in our games than in my previous stint with the team," the 31-year-old thinks.

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