Post-game tension: Ettore Messina had something to say to Maccabi's bench / News - Basketnews.com

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Right after the end of the game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Armani Exchange Milan, coach Ettore Messina looked angry at Maccabi's bench.

Player of the Game EFF 20 Ante Zizic Points 12 Accuracy 5-9 Rebounds 7 Assists 2

The Italian coach had something to say to Maccabi's head coach Avi Even and Israeli's side assistant coach Doron Perkins.

There were no other issues after the conversation, but Messina didn't look happy.

He reacted straight after James Nunnally's last-second three-pointer, although Maccabi already were up by 14 (Maccabi lost the first game by 11) The entire Armani coaching staff were almost on their way to shake hands with their opponents.

In the post-game conference, the Italian head coach also had a little clash with a reporter.

When the coach was asked if he was concerned for the team's performance, Messina replied angrily: 'Where were you in the last two minutes? Or do you want me to repeat it? Do you think I'm happy? Of course, I'm extremely concerned about the performance".

Before, Messina took full responsibility for poor performance in Tel Aviv.

"Maccabi did what they have been doing recently very well: attack one-on-one, create a lot of situations with their athleticism. They were driving into the paint and they used very well both Zizic and Reynolds. Of course, they fully deserved the game," the coach said in the press conference.

"When you lose a game playing like this, of course, you cannot complain about a player or some players. You need, as a coach, to take responsibility and understand that if everybody plays poorly, you have to handle this, address the problem and try to fix it. That is what I will try to do," he added.

"The players tried, we are just in a moment that nothing goes our way. We shot the ball terribly and in addition to this, we turned it over 19 times, which is a terrible combination," Messina told. "But again, it is my responsibility to help the players play better, to have the team more ready than it has been today. We will try to make the proper steps. We will be ready for the playoffs in whatever position we will be, and we will work for that in the next days."

For Milan, this is the second loss in a row in Euroleague after the one against Real Madrid on March 10.

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