In Milan, Fenerbahce confirmed their form. The 71-60 against Armani left no doubts and, after 3/3 at home in 2022, found a valuable brace at a home few equal-ranked sides will be able to get past.

Sasa Djordjevic’s side have learned to live with their absences and bring a self-sustaining individual onto the floor who has turned it into a soulful and talented squad that has recorded eight wins in their last nine games. Hence the positive now 11-10 in 21 games. Messina’s Milan came back once but couldn’t cope with the energy of the visitors and suffered their third defeat in the “Forum” and seventh overall, taking the opportunity to consolidate third place in the table.

The match had an episodic finale after Kyle Hines got angry with Gooduric and threatened a midfield clash. The tall American heard something he didn’t like and asked for explanations in strong style from the Serbian guard who was… fleeing from his teammates and Fenerbahce executives to put out the fire.

The race

Milan “slept through” the 8:2 at the beginning of the game more than it gave the impetus for a better continuation. Against Henry’s quick fouls, Fenerbahce “ran” a split score of 2-16 and found the game safe between Goodurich and Booker by double digit margins.

Only after 23:38 of the guests Messina’s team started to react, which (despite 9 errors in the first 12 minutes) found an ace up their sleeve in the face of Ben Bentil. Of course, -9 in the middle of the road (34-43) wanted enough work to be brought down as a whole. Yes, the hosts managed to temporarily level the situation with Dilleni, but in fact they were never able to cope with the defense that “Sale” prepared and built.

Fenerbahce played realistically, giving their best on both sides of the court and, trailing 48-54, didn’t let Milan believe they could return a second time. Whatever Ben Bentil did as the home team’s top player. In any case, Fenerbahce had Guduric to make the difference with the ball in hand.

THE REFEREES: Pukl, Bisang, Radojkovic

THE TEN MINUTES: 12-18, 34-43, 51-54, 60-71

ARMANI MILAN (Messina): Honey 9 (0/6 two points, 2/4 three points, 3 rebounds), Rodriguez 3 (0/4 three points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists), Tarzuski, Ritchie 5 (1/3 three points, 4 rebounds), Hall 9 (1/3 threes), Delaney 11 (2/5 threes, 3 rebounds, 5 assists), Daniels 3 (1/4 threes), Hines 6 (4 rebounds), Bentley 12 (2/3 threes), Datome 2

Fenerbahçe (Djordjevic): Hazer 5 (1/3 3-pointers), Akpinar 8 (1/3 3-pointers), Henry 6 (0/3 3-pointers, 3 rebounds, 2 assists), Pierre 6 (0/4 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), Guduric 17 (2/3 three points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals), Floyd 6 (3 rebounds), Booker 14 (4/5 two points, 2/2 three points, 8 rebounds) , Polonara 8 (0/4 three points, 4 rebounds) , 3 assists), Duverioglou 1

Armani Milano team statistics: 12/28 two points, 9/28 three points, 9/12 shots, 25 rebounds (14 defensive, 11 offensive), 13 assists, 5 steals, 13 errors, 4 blocks

Fenerbahce team stats: 23/34 two points, 6/22 three points, 7/12 shots, 30 rebounds (20 defensive, 10 offensive), 18 assists, 9 steals, 14 errors, 3 blocks

The next games of the two teams: In the 26th game, Armani hosts Baskonia in Milan (2/10, 9:30 p.m.), while Fenerbahce hosts Bayern Munich in Istanbul (2/11, 7:45 p.m.).