Olimpia Milano Struggles with Late-Game Execution and Point Guard Depth, Coach Poeta Laments
Monaco defeated Olimpia Milano in Round 33 of the EuroLeague, further diminishing Milano’s chances of reaching the play-in positions. Following the game, head coach Peppe Poeta expressed his frustration with his team’s recurring issues in closing out games and the ongoing impact of lacking an experienced point guard.
Late-Game Struggles a Recurring Theme
Poeta highlighted a familiar pattern in Milano’s performance, stating, “We’re disappointed because we lost in a way that has happened too many times this EuroLeague season. For 35 minutes we played a great game, but in the last five we ruined everything — we weren’t clinical and we struggled against their physicality.” He emphasized that consistent high-level play for the entire 40 minutes is crucial for success in the EuroLeague, noting, “In this competition, 35 minutes at a high level are not enough.”
Lack of Experienced Point Guard a Key Factor
The coach directly attributed some of the team’s struggles to the absence of a veteran point guard. “It’s clear that throughout the season we’ve paid for the lack of an experienced point guard,” Poeta said. Whereas acknowledging the contributions of players like Ellis, Bolmaro, and Guduric, he noted that their efforts weren’t enough to overcome this deficiency in the game against Monaco. “Many times we made up for it thanks to Ellis’ excellent season and the support from Bolmaro and Guduric. Today we couldn’t do that.”
Monaco’s Physicality Proves Decisive
Poeta too acknowledged Monaco’s strong performance, particularly their increased aggression in the final minutes. “They are a very physical team, and when they raised their aggression late in the game, they put us in trouble,” he stated. However, he also believed his team had the upper hand for the majority of the contest, playing the game they intended.
Looking Ahead
The defeat leaves Olimpia Milano facing an uphill battle to secure a play-in spot in the EuroLeague. Poeta’s comments underscore the need for improved late-game execution and potentially addressing the team’s depth at the point guard position in future seasons.
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