Coach, what was the first feeling that came to mind after that incredibly unpredictable game?
Pride. I’m incredibly proud of the guys. In the first half, we played exceptionally well—everyone in the arena noticed. But we were up against a top-tier team. In the Euroleague, it’s not uncommon for a team to come back after being down by 20 points. It came down to the wire, but we responded well and stayed united. Not a single player on the bench hung his head; everyone was focused on the next play. That’s what allowed us to turn the game around in the end. So yes, I’m very proud of them.
You dedicated Tuesday’s victory in Bologna to your predecessor, Francesco Tabellini. What did you learn from working alongside him?
He’s an outstanding coach, very detail-oriented. He’s also a great person, and it was a real pleasure to work with him. He gave me a lot of freedom and was very receptive to my advice. We had an excellent working relationship. I believe he did a fantastic job in the Euroleague, taking over a completely new team. The way he managed and led the team to victories was truly impressive to me. Just like with the other two head coaches I’ve worked with previously, I continued to develop my coaching skills by his side.
“Our motto? ‘Ignite the adidas arena!'”
The freedom you mentioned was also due to your specific role as associate head coach. Did you nonetheless feel a significant change upon your promotion to head coach?
Yes, it’s a huge change. As an associate head coach, you offer suggestions, advice, or ideas to the head coach, but this role is vastly different. You have to make the decisions, and I think that’s the most challenging part of the job. I’m incredibly grateful for our entire staff; they do an amazing job gathering information and then presenting it to me so I can make the most informed choices. But to answer your question, the difference is indeed very, very significant.
This was your first home game as head coach. How did it feel when the fans chanted your name before tip-off?
I’m very grateful for them; I heard it. But as I’ve said before on the Euroleague microphone, it’s not about me, it’s about the team. Our goal was to ignite the crowd. That was our motto before the game: ‘Ignite the adidas arena.’ And we truly did. I’m just incredibly thankful to all the fans who came today and made this evening very special.
Was that first half your best half of the season?
I don’t know; I’m sure many people felt that way. We’ll analyze it, and I’m confident we’ll find areas to learn from and improve for next time.
Paris has been quite inconsistent since the start of the season. Tonight, you were close to securing a third consecutive clear-cut victory, but Milan staged a comeback after halftime. What do you need to become more consistent?
First of all, I think in the Euroleague, a 10-point victory (103-93) is a significant win. Usually, the final score is much closer. But for us, the important thing is to win the game. Basketball is a game of runs; sometimes we’ll build a big lead and then get caught up, but as long as we win, that’s all that matters to us.
Tonight, Nadir Hifi was outstanding (25 points, 4 steals) – in offense, engagement, and even defense. What did you think of his performance?
He had a fantastic game. Over the last three games, he’s been leading our offense. He plays like a true point guard. And I found his defense exceptional. If you look at him today, the effort he puts in and how much he commits defensively, it’s something very special and rare to see such offensive talent do that. He really got his hands dirty, and I’m extremely proud of his performance.
Tonight, you faced another relatively young coach in Giuseppe Poeta (40 years old). Do you feel any pressure being the youngest head coach in Euroleague history at 28?
I feel no pressure at all. I’m tasked with leading this group until the summer, and that’s what I’m doing. I just don’t feel pressure. I simply do my job. And even if there were pressure, I consider it a privilege. It just means you’re in a good position. But as I’ve said before, my job is simply to help the team. And the guys help me a lot. So, I feel very good.
