Collective and defense, Olimpia Milano reveals itself as a worker: Trieste must give in

Milan, 26 January 2025 – Mission accomplished for Olimpia Milano who beats Pallacanestro Trieste 87-74 at home at the Forum also overturning the differential in the direct clash. A victory that was much less obvious than what the teams' palmares might suggest because the red and whites are in a difficult moment due to the numerous injuries that have undermined their rotations, while the guests were coming from a streak of five victories. This is a great way to react for Armani who had to get their head out of the water after the painful -44 suffered during the week ad Istanbul, . 

All useful

This time the Olimpia attack is a basket cooperative with 6 players in double figures led by Shields, author of 17 points, although 15 in the first half (decisive, however, when Trieste broke away). LeDay and Gillespie raise their voices under the basket with 12 points each, but great news also comes from Stefano Tonut, feels at home, and scores 12 points with 5/5 shooting from the field, and Willie Caruso who scored in double figures for the first time this season with 10 points (3/3 from 2 and 4/6 from free throws). 

The score of the match in fact makes it clear immediately that it will not be an easy match with Brown and Johnson to stand up to Shields' initiatives in the first period, closed by EA7 ahead on 25-23. Trieste's best moment was in the second period when the Julian team riding the wave of the former Valentine's baskets he even tries to run away when he reaches a double-digit lead of +10 (33.43).

Mental toughness

Milan, however, does not melt, re-emerges from the difficulties and already in the first half equalizes at 46 with a bomb by Shields that completes a personal show of 13 points practically in a row. At the beginning of the second half Bolmaro overtakes 50-48, but Trieste still has the strength to move forward with two triples by Valentine (56-60). Milan also responds to this storm with LeDay and Shields (61-60), then Brooks gives the lead from which Milan will never look back with the triple of 70-68.

Armani extends lead thanks to the iron defense in the last quarter in which he concedes only 6 points to the guests, Milan runs away with a 13-0 run between the third and fourth quarters thanks to the Italian troops, in particular Tonut and Caruso who score the points for 79-68.

Trieste has run out of energy, the Milanese defense makes itself heard and closes the accounts up to +13 which brings the smile back to Milan waiting for the arrival of the reigning European champions Panathinaikos Athens on Thursday 30th in the weekly Euroleague challenge to try to regain confidence with victory also on the continental stage. 

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Basketball Trieste 87-74 (25-23; 46-46; 72-68)

Milan: Dimitrijevic, Mannion 6, Bortolani n/a, Tonut 12, Bolmaro 7, Brooks 11, LeDay 12, Ricci, Flaccadori, Caruso 10, Shields 17, Gillespie 12. Messina Coach

Trieste: Obljubech ne, Ross 12, Reyes 4, Deangeli 2, Ruzzier 3, Campogrande ne, Candussi 5, Brown 17, Brooks 8, Johnson 9, Valentine 14. Coach Christian