Crvena Zvezda vs Milano

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Crvena Zvezda faced a loss in their recent away game against Olympiacos, with the latter winning 88-83. Olimpia Milano, in their previous match, secured a 92-76 victory at home against Anadolu Efes.

When Crvena Zvezda last met Milano, the latter emerged victorious with a 74-68 scoreline. Milano has had the upper hand in their last five encounters with Crvena Zvezda and has secured victories in 5 out of their last 8 head-to-head matchups.

Despite initial struggles and consecutive losses against Partizan, Crvena Zvezda has shown signs of improvement, consolidating their performance. Ioannis Sfairopoulos has been adapting well and steering the team effectively in recent games.

Crvena Zvezda managed to gain confidence after a convincing win against Fenerbahce in the EuroLeague. Despite a good performance against Olympiacos and opportunities in the game, they fell short. However, the team remains optimistic despite their 3-6 standing in the EuroLeague, believing they could have achieved a better win-loss ratio. They exhibited their strength in a comfortable victory against Mornar, highlighted by Mike Tobey's 16 points and Marko Simonovic's 13 points.

The upcoming matches will challenge Crvena Zvezda's offensive capabilities, heavily relying on the performance of Milos Teodosic, whose exceptional display against Fenerbahce gives the team hope for the future.

Milano was considered a strong contender for the Final Four before the season commenced. However, ongoing issues suggest deeper-rooted problems persist from the past period and the previous season, contrary to initial hopes for improvement.

Despite these circumstances, there are no plans to replace the coach in the fashion capital. The management has made it clear that Ettore Messina retains their full support, despite his current absence. The team's performance, with just three wins in nine games, speaks volumes about their struggles. However, Milano did show a glimmer of improvement by securing consecutive victories against Anadolu Efes in the EuroLeague and Venezia in the domestic championship, winning convincingly at 95:72. This positive turn in results is crucial for Milano amidst their crisis. Notably, Devon Hall and Shavon Shields emerged as key players, each scoring 19 points in the victory against Venezia.

Presently, Milano grapples with an unrecognizable defensive strategy. While their offensive plays excel, the team's defense remains a significant issue. Messina’s game philosophy hinges on this aspect, highlighting the key to enhancing their overall performance.

Over the last 10 matches, Milano stands at a 5-5 score, securing five consecutive wins. However, the home team faces challenges due to the absence of Branko Lazic, Nemanja Bjelica, Adam Hanga, and Shabazz Napier. On the other side, the guests won't have Billy Baron available.

Both teams aim for higher rankings than their current 3-6 standing, making this upcoming match crucial for their progression. Despite Crvena Zvezda holding a slightly better form and their opponents experiencing disappointment, Milano is the favored pick for one specific reason: Ettore Messina's familiarity with Crvena Zvezda's offensive strategy, particularly through his time at CSKA and knowing Milos Teodosic, who leads Crvena Zvezda's offense.