This is what the protagonists of the game had to say after the dust settled.
Milan's Messina on beating Efes: 'Our fans gave us a big push'
Article
4 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 4 of 34
Group Regular Season
w
w
w
w
l
l
l
l
Ettore Messina, AX Armani Exchange Milan
"I think the third quarter was very good for us because we had stops, and we found Datome two or three times for a three on the weak side. I am very happy because Gigi gave us important minutes tonight, and for us he is such an important player. And our fans gave us a big push, they really helped us to get this win. It is something that gives us motivation to keep working every day. Last year we made our good standings by winning on the road. We have to keep winning on the road because sooner or later, everyone loses at home. Home teams have more pressure because of thinking you should never lose at home, and that makes you play tight sometimes, like we did in the first five or six minutes tonight. We need to keep doing well at home, but our future will be decided on the road."
"They started with three bigs, and because of their size there was no space on offense. We had a problem moving the ball, and it took us time to get adjusted. Also, early fouls by Chacho Rodriguez were a problem, we know how Chacho is important for us. So we became a little short in terms of rotation. But those who played most I think played a very good game. We defended, moved the ball well. The fans were pushing us in the crucial moments. The key was, that even after going down 8 or 10 points, we managed to finish the first half with the lead. That was a key for the win. The third quarter was very good, and then we got a little tired at the end. Delaney had a very complete game on both ends of the court, offensively and defensively. With the injuries he had, I think it is important for us to see what he can give us."
Related Videos
- 00:23
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/02/28/LIZ84AtQa1fcRTD8Sc3DFxx7kNDTtCiz-1740781597008.jpg]()
Smits skies for a poster-dunk! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 02:04
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/02/28/Ee0njwASVS3Z0SFRCEh05B0wfKm0cP8f-1740777885031.jpg]()
Vincent Poirier: 'We helped each other on the court'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/93df1fc9-4464-4101-9813-ba10857525aa.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-ALBA Berlin | RS Round 27 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:19
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4242a86f-f6ba-4470-a26b-03e5abd93ea1.jpg?crop=718%3A404%3Anowe%3A467%3A179]()
Smits skies for a poster dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:21
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/49da6b4a-501a-4286-bb8a-40f12e1f78dc.jpg?crop=1220%3A686%3Anowe%3A65%3A35]()
Nwora beats the buzzer! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/8d60cc90-b061-4bb2-8e5a-abda058af8c1.jpg?crop=1334%3A751%3Anowe%3A8%3A3]()
Larkin feeds Poirer! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:17
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/02/27/DGI5BxrlH3J4oWru0nyRpN6OXKRXsqnq-1740695970572.jpg]()
Shavon Shields: 'Hopefully we can build off this'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/04f8af20-f7e7-43dc-84f0-26c8c01b8bb7.jpg]()
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-AS Monaco | RS Round 27 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/73a536e0-8c40-4663-af6d-9f91fd8073e8.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A126%3A63]()
Gillespie stops Okobo! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2485a69a-ab2b-402c-a19f-ad441b4ba997.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 26 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 01:15
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/02/06/GZSEoQpP7ySH7N3s659KwI0InHSBhB03-1738875160367.jpg]()
Zach LeDay: 'I still bleed green and white'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3470684f-50fe-4d66-bbbf-dd11119c7cdc.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | RS Round 26 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:19
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/eca4432b-ae0d-4948-b3ee-448d4d9aa7f4.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A106%3A114]()
Dozier and Oturu at it again! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d96c8ee1-aa80-48fa-a11e-030dd85073da.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A151%3A63]()
Oturu with a vicious two-hander! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:21
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/eb3d316a-3e27-47c4-bb00-060535ab8396.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A97%3A49]()
Shields smashes the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:06
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5c14ee00-a7db-42c1-bbf7-c5981e6c06a3.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A99%3A130]()
Shields dunks off a backdoor cut! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/effd408e-1083-4d56-80aa-70cd70b95ad3.jpg]()
FC Bayern Munich-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | RS Round 25 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:41
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/02/04/TgPXuWLiEPWi154M1Pcq5R2SxfhDYe0E-1738706443953.jpg]()
Dozier's huge dunk! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 01:59
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/02/04/JrxKwgMhwYqc9F1pxXTzWkYlE1PiVDwU-1738700521530.jpg]()
Vincent Poirier: 'PJ Dozier's dunk was crazy!'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4b11e94f-3dea-4e67-a3d1-a3d1c493619a.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Real Madrid | RS Round 25 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/177bbe73-0032-4ced-8cf7-8234b041b266.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A147%3A44]()
Poirier puts it back! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9165b87a-b146-4284-9691-c62c9abb7f68.png?crop=1838%3A1034%3Anowe%3A37%3A0]()
Six Feet and Under Club episode No. 1: Shane Larkin
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/27aa18bd-c96b-405b-9bfb-81b5a05bc9b3.jpg]()
Olympiacos Piraeus-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 24 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a969d3d4-8ae1-426d-bbc4-8dc5e76bef91.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A11%3A35]()
Oturu dunks in traffic! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:36
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/30/JZZWMEbeOAQqE6vLsEieWcnfM06ZM9AR-1738274756051.jpg]()
Zach LeDay: 'With the champs coming, you've got to come to play'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/scVciMFqw5M/maxresdefault.jpg]()
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | RS Round 24 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/8eea6879-d3b9-4531-9607-9c0e0958d532.jpg?crop=971%3A546%3Anowe%3A149%3A0]()
What a play by Leandro Bolmaro! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3f736973-4994-47c0-9797-858f6e0a2b0c.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A38%3A9]()
Round 24 video preview: Everything you need to know about this week's key games
- 01:43
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/23/gTqlKDkIDcp90NZxFfB4YYM5CAUI1dWE-1737666535411.jpg]()
P.J. Dozier: 'We have an amazing group'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9e715c34-a0cd-4597-bcc6-2e5a73033979.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | RS Round 23 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a6085be7-5726-4620-8001-5dbc37ebfc33.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A132%3A79]()
Osmani slams it with fury! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:18
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/eca4432b-ae0d-4948-b3ee-448d4d9aa7f4.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A83%3A108]()
Oturu rejects Gillespie! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:30
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/179bb012-8d05-4ef2-a6b7-4f0404fa7c4f.jpg?crop=1276%3A718%3Anowe%3A37%3A36]()
Poirier stops Bolmaro! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/New-yG2ZTik/maxresdefault.jpg]()
FC Barcelona-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 22 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/8d60cc90-b061-4bb2-8e5a-abda058af8c1.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A123%3A116]()
Thompson finds Poirier! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/aPOKPIAMksA/maxresdefault.jpg]()
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | RS Round 22 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 01:42
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/14/ZhDh92DprhpoIWQcgFd8M9tkkHGqPP47-1736892633494.jpg]()
Nikola Mirotic: 'When you play with Zach LeDay, it's always easier'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/86d824b2-4f6b-4621-b409-0d862a09ce1d.jpg]()
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-ALBA Berlin | RS Round 21 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/816b96aa-d970-4d15-ac23-00a59acf9c1c.jpg]()
Paris Basketball-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 21 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/73a536e0-8c40-4663-af6d-9f91fd8073e8.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A106%3A59]()
Gillespie stops a dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/94fa61ec-e7fc-4fd9-b7f8-22cf9296e743.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A74%3A141]()
Caruso swats it of backboard! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/49da6b4a-501a-4286-bb8a-40f12e1f78dc.jpg?crop=1272%3A716%3Anowe%3A39%3A38]()
Nwora gets across for the block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/179bb012-8d05-4ef2-a6b7-4f0404fa7c4f.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A126%3A27]()
Poirier with the big slam! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/WOqF4A68cjY/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | RS Round 20 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ba64ce2f-eb08-4b6c-887f-31092bdf77dc.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A247%3A68]()
Poirier’s milestone block leads to fast-break dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/8d60cc90-b061-4bb2-8e5a-abda058af8c1.jpg?crop=1182%3A665%3Anowe%3A84%3A89]()
Smits feeds dunkin’ Poirier! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:58
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/09/hfHXivGFJErQDlAa1QPUQnl0XjcudOjs-1736459940034.jpg]()
Shavon Shields: 'Everybody did their part'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/UZ-nO84Sm5g/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | RS Round 20 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/vBndjSZe4aI/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 19 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b080b108-5916-49a9-a2ae-9cb10aff0b44.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A123%3A76]()
Johnson stops Biberovic! Motorola Magic Moment
Ergin Ataman, Anadolu Efes Istanbul
"We started with a different strategy, with three bigs, because Milan is in a very good shape. They are playing very well and we tried to distort their system. And we were successful in the beginning. We created open shots on pick and roll from Vasilije Micic to Chris Singleton, but we missed, and the last 3-4 minutes of the half, we had to turn back to our usual lineup with three guards, and we had a problem in defense and let them finish the first half leading by 6 points. In the second half, we fought to stay in the game, we came back. I think we had a good game defensively, but offensively, especially our three guards, Micic, Shane Larkin and Rodrigue Beaubois, on 14 three-point attempts they only made 2 baskets. I told them in the locker room, in the last quarter, our offensive system especially where Micic is trying to shoot the ball from eight meters on a step-back shot is unacceptable. It is undisciplined basketball. I talked to him in the locker room. This is not correct basketball to resolve everything with the dribble, and step-back shots from eight meters. It is doing big damage to our team right now. I also criticized Singleton, he played 27 minutes and did not have any rebounds. They are our problems we need to resolve. I did see progress on defense. I saw hustle, we did not give up. But for us, for our system, it is important we miss Kruno Simon, especially like today when our three guards played bad on offense. We miss Simon too much, who is our key player on offense to find, score, create many things in our pick and roll offense. Like Shields did for Milan."
Konstantinos Mitoglou, AX Armani Exchange Milan
"It was a very difficult game. We knew from the beginning it was going to be a very difficult game because we knew Efes would come prepared. They were mentally and physically ready. We had to protect our house, we had to use all that we had prepared. We took the win, we are happy for it and we have to keep building from this. In every game, in every practice AND every day that passes, we find our chemistry and we are happy about it. We are a new team, everybody is learning better about their teammates, and we can do much better, of course."
Malcolm Delaney, AX Armani Exchange Milan
"We wanted to play pick and roll today. I thought if I get into the paint and draw some attention, we can get open shots, and the guys made the shots today. We made the right plays. Defense is what we are trying to take pride in this year. We are trying to establish our identity, we want to be better defensively this year. If we don't score sometimes, we still have something to fall back on, and we just played better defensively today."
