And now Milan is really one step away from the abyss, a situation that probably not even the most pessimistic of its fans could have imagined and, conversely, difficult to hope for even for the most avid opposing fans. After the second knockout in a row in Sardinia, this time 80-67, and with Sassari deservedly ahead 3-1 in the series, now all that remains for Olimpia is to try to win all three (if any) last games left to complete what at this point would be a real feat and avoid the shame of having the tricolor conquered twelve months ago without even reaching the championship final to be able to defend it.
A comeback operation that sees match 5 as the first step, scheduled for tomorrow at 18,15 with the return to the Forum and the minimum obligation for Banchi's team to save face and avoid elimination even within the friendly walls, an appointment in sight of which captain Gentile (even last night's top score with 24 points) has already begun to spur on his teammates (on the pitch who appeared soft and frightened) and fans (we need to see how they will react), calling everyone together, reiterating that only united, even if angry and disappointed, they will be able to believe it and fight to the end to overcome this very difficult moment. Forum which in all likelihood will be a pit, as it was in the last two matches at Palaserradimigni, but which will not see Daniel Hackett on the parquet, expelled in the final and disqualified for two rounds (he would also miss the eventual match 6 in Sassari), more episode of a troubled season for him, which saw him miss the first 5 months due to the well-known summer disagreements with the federation and national team and which risks ending here if his teammates don't bring the series to game 7.
Having said that for the more mischievous ones, given how he was playing (especially looking at the poor realization contribution) the absence of the number 23 might not be a big problem for EA7, and underlined how the sanction is legitimate given the prolonged and colorful skit, complete with insults and threatening behavior, of which he became the protagonist after the technical foul assigned to him and the consequent exit from the field (with his friend Gentile to escort him into the tunnel), it is right to say a few words on certain arbitrations conducted during the arc of some games, without distinction between the various teams and not dwelling on specific episodes (in Hackett's one the foul could have been there). Too often the referees seem to want to be protagonists too, stopping the game almost at every action, calling a foul (yesterday Milan finished with 32) at every slightest contact, an arm touching an elbow or a hand touching a shorts is enough goes to the line, in short, it is right to keep such heartfelt and intense matches under control as much as possible but constantly interrupting the game due to literally invented fouls in certain cases certainly does not contribute to the show (we are always talking about a movement and physical sport) and can annoy the players on the field (especially if more serious contacts are not booed in the same game). In addition, even the trend of punishing with technical fouls (as with Gentile in game 1), which in certain situations can also direct the evolution of the final score, every slightest gestural or vocal protest most of the time seems really excessive. Summarizing, it is clear that if a player loses his mind and exaggerates he must be punished, but when a raised arm or a yell upsets the progress of a match, it seems more like being in boarding school or in front of a judge than in the midst of a competitive event.
Leaving aside the refereeing issues, and after having witnessed the eighth match of the season between the two teams, with Dinamo now ahead for 5 wins against the 3 Milanese players (two of which were irrelevant during the regular season), it is urgent to open a question of the truth already feared by some enthusiasts since the composition of the two rosters last summer: but in singles is Milan really clearly stronger than Sassari as has always been said? Clearly EA7's endless streak of victories in the championship cannot be forgotten (like the clear affirmation in race 2), but it is also true that when it came to lifting a trophy, Dinamo always had the upper hand (apart from playoff series a year ago), expressing a better game (before it was thought that the fate of Sassari depended on the percentages of the three-point shot, but in this series he has shown that he can dominate all areas of the field) and also a better mentality, unlike Olimpia who, either commands immediately, or if they go under, start to lack oxygen, lose their lucidity and are hardly able to react (even in the last match a 4th quarter with just 10 points scored) . We were talking about the singles: a quintet with Gentile, Hackett, Moss, Melli (who should be one of the two strong wings) and Samuels is undoubtedly superior to one with J.Brooks (or Sosa), Dyson, Logan, Sanders and Lawal (so far worthy rival of the long Milanese opposite), with for the first alternatives such as the ectoplasmic Kleiza, the wavering Ragland and M.Brooks (who seems to want to break the world, but then simply loses possessions), all protagonists (in addition to the disappeared Shawn James ) of a summer market that can now be defined as bankruptcy, while on the other side the Italians and less publicized Devecchi, Sacchetti and Formenti, when called into question, make all their honest commitment available.
Given that among the red and white ranks one cannot fail to exalt and admire Alessandro Gentile, truly immense in these playoffs at the end of an extraordinary season, as a true captain capable with his class and his grit of keeping his team afloat almost alone, and observed how Banchi relegates Brooks to the bench for too many minutes (so far well below expectations, but still potentially the team's number one striker), who when he comes on seems to play under pressure and fear of missing a ball and being called a god new out, it can be safely said that in the end there are no big differences between the two rosters or, at least, phrases such as "Milan has a second quintet that would easily beat any other starting quintet" were a little exaggerated, if not out of place .
All this is the fault of the choices of the Milanese management, but thanks to that of Sassari, capable of putting together this group of players and who is now only one victory away from reaching a dream, but who with this decision and hunger that is fielding could take increasingly concrete features. Meanwhile, on the other side of the scoreboard we are 2-1 for Venice, which after being surprised at home in game 2 by Reggio Emilia, with the success in game 3 has put the home factor back on its side. Tonight at 20,45, the fourth episode of a series that has so far been exciting and characterized so far by stretches and comebacks is scheduled at the PalaBigi in Reggio, with however the lead between the hosts due to the injury of a decisive element such as Lavrinovic, for the which these playoffs are already over, and a balance that at the moment seems to tip slightly in favor of the lagoon players.
