EuroLeague: the Roca Team is defeated at home by Virtus Bologna

Without Carsen Edwards, Virtus Bologna played a serious and intense game to win in Monaco, despite a reduced squad. The Roca Team, inconsistent and often apathetic, lacked consistency and let an important Euroleague defeat slip away.

The players of Virtus Bologna faced the Roca Team on its home court in Monaco. Carsen Edwards, injured, missed the game for the Italian side, who had to manage without their offensive leader. As for Vassilis Spanoulis’s men, they needed to respond after two consecutive EuroLeague defeats to secure a direct playoff spot at the end of the season. The Italians, on the other hand, continue to fight for a play-in spot. 

The Monegasques started seriously, set up their offensive systems, moved the ball around, while Bologna did their best with their resources. Before the first Italian timeout, Monaco was slightly ahead: 13-10. Virtus held on thanks to their three-point shooting accuracy. Mat Morgan, the sniper of the team, was very accurate at the start of the game. Mike James took matters into his own hands, scoring, passing, drawing fouls, he did it all. Monaco had an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter: 30-22. 

The Roca Team made some errors at the start of the second quarter, but they also made some defensive mistakes that allowed the Italians to stay in the game. Mat Morgan and Derrick Alston Jr pounded the Monegasque defense and kept the score close. 

Vassilis Spanoulis took a timeout when the Italians tied the game, 37-37. This timeout proved wise as Monaco regained their offensive play, but on the other end, Derrick Alston Jr was on fire, keeping his team afloat. In the last two minutes, Monaco accelerated and managed to take a seven-point lead, 51-44 at halftime. 

Derrick Alston Jr maintained his team with his 18 points, and he would need to replicate this kind of performance in the second half to hope for a victory. Monaco had a few details to fine-tune to make the game easier.

The Roca Team’s defense in trouble 

The Monegasque defense remained in the locker room, and Bologna caught up. Elie Okobo did his best to keep his team ahead. The third quarter lacked rhythm, the Monegasques became frustrated, and the Italians took advantage. Monaco finished this quarter three points ahead, thanks to individual feats. 

The Italians continued to play seriously, while the Monegasques were apathetic, allowing Virtus to take the lead. The Roca Team didn’t show their usual face, especially in attack. Monaco didn’t score for four minutes, and the Italians took a ten-point lead. 

The Monegasques needed a heroic effort to win. Mathew Strazel tried to do just that. Elie Okobo followed, and the Roca Team came within two points. Only now did Vassilis Spanoulis’s men play with intensity and as they have always played, but time was short; would it be enough? 

Thanks to Mike James, Monaco took the lead again with a minute left, thanks to a long-range basket from their legend. Lucas Vildoza scored a difficult basket that ended the game, capping a serious performance from their side despite an injury-depleted roster. The Roca Team lost at home (82-84).

Monaco admittedly did not play at their level tonight, but Virtus Bologna’s performance without their leader and without two or three important rotational players deserves praise. The Roca Team will need to show a different face to win next time. The current context surrounding the management might have dampened spirits, but that’s no reason to show such an apathetic face for 40 minutes. They will play Le Portel on Sunday in Betclic Elite.

Virtus Bologna won an important game to hope for a play-in, and with the level shown tonight and the return of their players in the coming weeks, they could finish the season well. They will play against Trente on Sunday in the Italian championship. 

Matthieu Brabant