Two defeats in the championship, two defeats in the Euroleague, “a lack of character” and attitudes denounced by coach Sasa Obradovic: Monaco, which faces Partizan in Belgrade this Wednesday, then Kaunas in Lithuania on Friday, must react quickly.
“We stopped playing together”
Against Paris (80-87), in the Euroleague, Monaco fell back into its worst ways. “We stopped sharing the ball, playing together. And like that, we always lose,” railed pivot Donatas Motiejunas.
The players have since talked about it again. “The group has the backbone of last season and knows what sacrifices to make for the team to “perform,” explains general manager Oleksiy Yefimov. Hence D-Mo (Motiejunas) speaking out. The players realized that they had not been up to par. »
Before the trips “in two rooms where it is very difficult to impose yourself, Yefimov, who will accompany the group, nevertheless assures that “the team is united”, even if “a victory against Paris would have taken a little pressure off”.
A delicate double move
Because “this double shift will be very complicated,” he says. But no matter the results, the best way to overcome problems is to stay together. Having bad matches, like Paris, happens. The important thing is how the team reacts. These men know what to do. They don’t stay on their knees after falling. »
On a daily basis with the team, Yefimov assures that he sees “concentration and confidence in training, not frustration. » He also sees a coach who keeps control of his group.
“There is not even a question to ask on this subject,” Yefimov evacuates. I don’t see any problem in the relationship between Sasa and the group. The management and the players support it. » Starting with the captain, Mike James.
Mike James diminished
But the Euroleague MVP, who had back surgery this summer, is not 100%. And this is noticeable: if he is less good, the team is doing less well. And the star recruits, Nick Calathes and Furkan Korkmaz, supposed to support him to help the Roca Team grow, are also injured.
If the Turk could return to Gravelines on November 3, then continue in Istanbul against Efes, his former club, for Calathes, the news is less reassuring. When he suffered a knee injury at the end of September, “three to four weeks” of absence had been announced. However, he still has to carry out examinations. The date of his return is uncertain.
“These injuries affect the performance of the team, especially that of Nick, recruited to give offensive rhythm in the Euroleague,” recognizes Yefimov. But we know that it is impossible to go a season without injury. This is why our squad is deeper this season (14 players, editor’s note). »
“An ecosystem, not a puzzle”
The majority were there last year. But he is also a man, very appreciated by the Monegasque public, his teammates and especially Obradovic, who experienced an eventful offseason: Jordan Loyd. Hero of Monaco’s first championship title but whose contract was not renewed in July due to his recurring injuries, he broke his contract with Tel Aviv, to return to compensate for Calathes’ injury.
However, such a round trip is not without repercussions. Loyd is no longer the one we count on first. His status has changed. Yefimov explains: “He returns to a team that has evolved, with defined roles. Even if it’s easier because he knows the club, he needs time to reintegrate it perfectly, without forcing the process. A team is not a puzzle, but a real ecosystem that you have to know how to understand. »
However, time is already running out for the Roca Teamwhose ambition is to play in the Final Four next May.
