Messina explains what's not working for Milan, gives update on Mirotic / News - Basketnews.com

Ettore Messina used a metaphor to describe his team's recurring situation of wasting leads and gave an update on the injury situation of Nikola Mirotic.

Credit: Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan was defeated by Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 13 of the EuroLeague with a score of 82-69.

Nikola Mirotic

MIN:28.77PTS:17.64 (59.22%)REB:6.18As:1.27ST:1BL:0.27TO:1.82GM:11ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Head coach Ettore Messina, whose contract was extended until 2026, had some interesting remarks to share in the post-game press conference.

"It is very ironic that we are here in the land of the legendary maestro Aca [Aleksandar] Nikolic," Messina began. "Because Aca Nikolic had the one quote about the people that pour the milk from the cow [into] the bucket... When they [go] up, they kick the bucket, and all the milk spills on the floor," the coach gave a metaphor.

"Well, we are master[s] of this," Messina said sternly. "We are professionals of this. We put a lot of milk in the bucket, and then we throw it away with absolute nonchalance," he was blunt in his criticism.

The Italian specialist then talked about the game in particular.

"What we did at the end of the third quarter is really difficult to understand. We played 26 great minutes, and then we wasted everything. We have done this, I don't know how many times this year."

"We need to think, learn, and recover our injured players," Messina explained the road to success for Olimpia Milano.

"Congratulations, of course, to Zeljko and his team because even when they were not playing well, they kept playing and kept playing and had an amazing comeback. It's not easy to play here, as [you] know."

Messina also confirmed, once again, that his team was looking for a point guard and stated that "individual accountability" needs to be talked about because of the team's sudden ups and downs.

The Italian coach also gave an update on Nikola Mirotic's injury situation.

"We are talking weeks, and it might be longer because he is also receiving more inquiries on his tendon. I think it's the same situation that took him out three months last year with Barcelona," explained Messina.

"I think in the next weeks, we will know more."

Olimpia Milano regressed to a 4-9 record in the EuroLeague after tonight's defeat at the hands of Partizan.

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