Euroleague: Monaco loses at home against Milan and leaves the podium

Monaco, with a permeable defense like never before, clearly lost in its Gaston-Médecin room against Milan, winner 98 to 80 on Wednesday during the 30th day of the Euroleague, suffering a setback after eight consecutive victories in the European competition. This defeat caused the “Roca Team” to lose its third place in the standings. With 19 wins and 11 defeats, it remains in the Top 5 but the reception of the Spanish club Valencia on Friday becomes crucial in the race for one of the first four places, synonymous with home advantage in the quarter-finals.

The meeting was preceded by a ceremony in honor of Monaco's American leader, Mike James, who became the top scorer in Euroleague history against Red Star Belgrade on March 7. This was the only reason to smile of the evening for Monaco coach Sasa Obradovic: his team, which was playing its fourth match in seven days, was disappointing, despite a breathtaking start to the fourth quarter. But following a stoppage in play following an referee review concerning the resetting of the clock (34th), Monaco suddenly lost its inspiration, while the team had returned to six points thanks to Alpha Diallo (76- 70).

It then died out, despite the presence in the stands of Prince Albert, accompanied by Pierre Dartout, the Minister of State of the Principality. Even Giorgio Armani himself, a supporter of Milan for many years, was present. The return of Jordan Loyd, launched in the major five and who scored the first ten Monegasque points (10-10, 5th), was not enough to allow the 'Roca Boys', beaten on the rebound, to control the first quarter -time.

After too many turnovers, including that of Mike James on the final possession, Monaco let Milan escape, who took a seven-point lead, on a long-distance shot from German world champion Maodo Lo ( 27-20, 10th).

Lo continued his undermining work before the break. If the Monegasques came back to 29-27 on a three-point basket from Kemba Walker (13th), they plunged again when Lo scored after recovering the ball in the hands of Alpha Diallo (37-30, 15th). Monaco, without spring, continued its path of the cross, to explode at the end of the second quarter on two prize-winning baskets from Stefano Tonut (58-44), at the break).

It seems that the break did not allow Obradovic to make his people react. On a furious dunk from Mirotic, top scorer of the match (21 points), Milan took an 18-unit lead (66-48, 24th). And if Monaco pulled off a close encounter (76-70, 31st), the Principality team gave up too quickly to hope for a ninth victory in a row.