Messina addresses double role at Milan, competition with Virtus Bologna / News - Basketnews.com

Ettore Messina reflected on his double capacity in Olimpia Milano as head coach and President of Basketball Operations. He also spoke about some improvements he spots in the Italian league.

Credit: Dainius Lukšta Credit Dainius Lukšta

In December 2023, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan put an end to any speculation over the future of head coach Ettore Messina by extending his contract until June 30, 2026.

2-pointers this season

55%18,1Points made:18,1Accuracy:55,1%Place in standings:18Record max:27Record min:12Most made 2FGs:Nikola MiroticTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Messina is currently in his fifth season in charge of Milan, during which time the team has gone 88-84 in the EuroLeague. Under his guidance, Milan has won two Italian League titles, two Italian Cups and one Italian Super Cup, while the Italian side also reached the 2021 EuroLeague Final Four after a 29-year wait.

However, the Italian powerhouse Milan has had another underwhelming EuroLeague campaign, finding itself 15-19 and in 12th place after the completion of the regular season, missing out on the playoffs for the third year in a row.

Across his 472-game career since the EuroLeague was created 23 years ago, in October 200, Messina’s coaching record stands at 314-158. He is just the second coach to have reached 300 wins, only behind his long-time friend Zeljko Obradovic.

At the same time, Messina has been Milan's President of Basketball Operations since 2019. However, balancing his double commitment hasn't been easy.

"More than the physical part, it takes a toll in terms of energy and nervousness," the coach told Tuttosport.

"This is what causes the ups and downs. We need to reset to regain strength after big matches. In my opinion, there has been a misunderstanding. If I were in charge of the technical area, no one would say anything. But that's my role. The organization is growing as a whole," he argued.

"There are trained managers like [Christos] Stavropoulos (GM) and Gianmaria Vacirca (assistant GM), who have the competence, the ability and carry out the work. Conversely, the technical area is my responsibility. It's not like I have to put on and take off a hat. And I did this work in Bologna and Moscow, I didn't do it in Treviso because the excellent Maurizio Gherardini was there," Messina said.

Since the EuroLeague was formed, Messina has coached Virtus (2000-02), Benetton Treviso (2002-05), CSKA (2005-09), Real Madrid (2009-2011), CSKA again (2012-14) and then Milan (2019-present). Messina spent five years working as an assistant to legendary coach Gregg Popovich at the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, too, between 2014 and 2019.

The 64-year-old has lifted the EuroLeague on four occasions in the past, doing so in the 1997-98 and 2000-01 seasons with Virtus Segafredo Bologna and then in the 2005-06 and 2007-08 campaigns with CSKA.

How does Olimpia get to the Serie A playoffs?

"With the optimism of those who want to end a difficult season well, dotted with difficulties and injuries, with the determination to focus on the team's ability to compete at the level of highly prepared opponents," he replied.

"We are certain that defending strong and sharing the ball on offense are the keys to winning, as we have done on many occasions in the league, but also in the Euroleague. In Serie A, after a start of 5 wins and 5 defeats, we had a record of 17-3."

For Messina and his team, the last part of the season will largely decide the way in which the campaign will go down.

"Now it's the time to show on the court the things we're able to do, even if we have to watch the [EuroLeague] Final Four on TV with three teams we beat during the season," the experienced coach said referring to Real Madrid, Olympiacos and Fenerbahce.

According to him, the fact that Virtus Bologna and Milan lost 8 games in the Italian league, the highest number in recent years shows that in Serie A no outing should be taken for granted, especially away games.

"Every year, excellent players arrive and the teams are coached by very good and well-prepared coaches," he commented.

"I believe that the two clubs [Milan and Virtus Bologna] have given a lot to the movement, in terms of visibility abroad and, for example, bringing very important players back to Italy. The excellent run that Brescia and other clubs are having is a wonderful positive indicator. No one likes participating in a league that's a foregone conclusion."

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