A video meeting at noon, gymnastics and massage, and a few dry runs on the court—this was the speed program the Bayern basketball players used on Monday to prepare for the next EuroLeague night at SAP Garden. After their 96-81 home win against Bamberg in a sold-out BMW Park, there was little time left for Tuesday evening's (8:30 p.m.) home game against Italian record champions Milan, who are level on points with them, despite all the stress. Both teams are looking for their second win of the season on the fourth match day.
Slight relief for Stefan Jovic
At least team doctor Basti Torka was able to allay head coach Gordon Herbert's worst fears on Monday afternoon: examinations revealed that a prolonged absence is apparently not imminent – the Serbian international has escaped with a painful but not too serious capsule injury in his ankle.
For Milan, which had to concede the championship title to Bologna in the spring, only England's Quinn Ellis (12 points) played more than 20 minutes on Saturday, while veteran Devin Booker (15 min., 11 rebounds/6.3 points per game so far) was used sparingly, as were captain and top scorer Shavon Shields (16 min., 15.7 ppg) – and Zach DeDay (11.6 ppg, injured) and new signing Marko Guduric (10.7) sat out completely, as did Xavier Rathan-Mayes on Sunday at FCBB. The top scorer was three-point shooter Armoni Brooks with 20 points.
The Lombards had surprisingly lost their first Serie A game at home against Tortona (71:74). In the EuroLeague, after their opening win at Red Star (92:82), they suffered a narrow 78:80 defeat at Partizan and most recently an unfortunate 79:82 home defeat against Monaco.
Italy's record champions with big names
In order to win the Scudetto and finally return to the EuroLeague playoffs after 2022, Milan has invested heavily: In addition to Booker and Guduric from defending champions Fenerbahce, Spain's former European Championship MVP Lorenzo Brown (11.7 ppg) has been signed from Panathinaikos. Alongside him, Leo Bolmaro (5.8), who was released from Munich last summer, organizes the play of the Italian record champions.
While Jovic's participation is more than questionable, Bayern is hoping for a last-minute return of center Wenyen Gabriel on Tuesday after his shoulder contusion. European champion Jo Voigtmann (knee) began individual court training on Sunday, while Elias Harris (tendon) still needs to be patient.
“We don't have much time to prepare and are in a delicate situation with the new team and the injuries. But that's the reality and we just have to stick together now,” says captain Vladimir Lucic. "Milan has a great team and a very big budget. They've made some great signings and have a good mix of young, motivated players and, at the same time, many with experience. Messina is also one of the best coaches in the history of European basketball. They got off to a good start, but have also had a tough schedule. With our fans behind us, anything is possible at home."
Coach Herbert also expects “a very tough game,” saying, “We have to defend better as a team and play better together than we did against Kaunas if we want to have a chance against this individual quality.”