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Zalgiris won in both matches last season, but the power ratio is different this year

Milano are still without Kangur and Gigli, but a very important wheel of their game - Moss - could come back

Foto Ciamillo-Castoria / benettonbasket.it

After both teams had defeats with over 20 points difference in the first round, a match between the two is here, and we can say it freely, it's a direct fight in a battle for a position leading to Top 16. 

Milano didn't prove to be a force this season, even with all the buys and money spent, in Italy as well as in Europe. It should be noted they had problems with injuries, and lost Kangur at the very beginning of the season. He had to get a surgery, and will be away for at least a month. It could be expected to see them on the market again, and shopping for his replacement - D'ora Fischer's name comes up in the media. The center Gigli also had problems, and they played without the very important Moss against Efes Pilsen. Only Langford, Gentile and Samuels were in the mood in that game, and even though they won 36-28 in jumps, seven lost balls more than Efes were too much.

They were facing another difficult match against Varese after the Euroleague, but the guests weren't in a good shape either, and Milano used it, winning the game 84-72 thanks to one good quarter. Samules played his best game with 21 points and 11 jumps, and was followed with Langford's 19 points, and Moss's 12 points and 7 jumps. Gentile and Jerrells also had two-digits score. They dominated with the jumps in that match (41-28), and reduced the lost balls to the acceptable 10.

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Now they're facing Zalgiris who they played against in the last season, too, but lost both of the matches. This game is extremely important for them so they can boost their confidence, but also increase chances to go through in the group. Coach Banchi is aware of it, as well:

- This is a to-be-or-not-to-be game for us. If Anadolu Efes and Real Madrid are the best teams in our group, we have four teams behind them decide in the duels who goes to Top 16. I expect good signs after defeating Varese. Zalgiris are an experienced team with players who've already won Euroleague. We hope for a good support from the stands, and I would want to accentuate once again how important this game is for us, before the two away games that are coming.

Moss could be under the basket side by side with Samuels, and Gentile will play the three position. Langford and Jerrells will take back positions. Moss is also aware of the importance of the game ahead of them:

- The course of the game will show how we have to play, but if we want to be more "hungry" for the win, we have to play with a big desire. Then, we can deal with a team that plays as routinely as Zalgiris do.

Jerrells and the experienced Jasikevicius duel could be the key for this game, besides the one between Langford and the defense expert Lipkevicius. Langford always performs well in the Euroleague, and had two-digits results in 13 consecutive games, and in the last 22 out of 23. He has 19,7% points per game against Zalgiris, with 42,8% three pointers, 4,2 jumps, and 3,3 assists.

Zalgiris and Real Madrid gave a real classic to the audience in Kaunas, but a different ratio of power is at rule now. Madrid are far better quality team this season, and they confirmed it in the full Zalgiris arena a week ago. The tension didn't last for long, and Real got a two-digit advantage by the end of the first half-time. They had a good start in the rest of the game, and completely solved the question of who the winner will be. 

- Real played well, it's their third year together. We have a lot of young players, and for many of them, this was the first game on this level. We have a lot of work to do to fix the mistakes that cost us today - coach Zouros said after the initial defeat.

Real were simply better in all the segments, and Zalgiris couldn't catch up with 27 lost balls. They'll look for their chance on some other games, and one of the important ones will definitely take place in Milano today. The Italian team could be one of the direct rivals for going into the quarterfinals. These teams were in the same group in the regular part last season as well. Zalgiris were better both times. However, Lithuanian team were a lot stronger then, and the situation is a bit different this time. 

- We will meet a strong team. Their first game result shouldn't fool us, because Milano were missing a few important players in the away game in Istanbul. It will be a little different this time. We fight against time. We try to improve ourselves, and we are stronger with each practice. We have to create a good combination of the more experienced and younger players we have available - Zouros stated when announcing the game. 

Zalgiris won't be able to rely on Ksistof Lavrinovic in this game, either. Regardless, they have some quality solutions in the frontcourt, with Jankunkas and Javtokas, who should lead the game in Milano. A lot will depend on how Zalgiris can manage to stop Milano back line with the defense. Lipkevicius won't have a simple task, he needs to stop Keith Langford.

- Emporio Armani are still a solid team. They have strong individual players, who can win against the opponent when passing through to the basket, so our 1-on-1 defense has to be top level. With our coaches help, we're analyzing their game style and prepare solutions both ways. Since we have a few new players, we're still learning, and our defense can definitely be better - Jankunkas added.