Bologna –
Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s General Manager Paolo Ronci spoke to the press after the game against Milano: “The extraordinary thing about today was finding our people after so long, a full house. The atmosphere was extraordinary, even our president Dr. Zanetti thanked the fans. The feeling between the team and the public brought positive energy, like the one brought by two high-level and experienced players like Hackett and Shengelia, in the context of an Italian champion team that is starting to have 2-3 years of experience and mentality. Cordinier also gave a lot of energy in defense and offense, plus Pajo and Weems who still have the shield on their chests. If we are first in the standings it means that this club is starting to have continuity at a high level after 2-3 years, it’s what we were looking for when we took over management of the team.
Olimpia Milan? With this set-up it won at home of ASVEL, it’s a very good team, a Euroleague team. The absences as a sportsman are regrettable. Since the beginning of the year, we have never had a full team. Sometimes we had a high-level quintet sitting. This was a regular season game, it allows us to stay in first place and we are happy, but we take it for what it is. There’s still so much to do, and what matters is in front of us.
Cordinier? He’s very serious about his work, and in these cases you can see the results. He’s a player who has a lot of hunger and desire, he shows it every day. Sampson? From here to the end we need everyone, it’s right that everyone wants to be on the field, but he was very happy for his teammates. In the last few games he has given us a good contribution after a difficult period. There are players who, at their first experience in Europe, need a lot of time, and here there is not so much patience. The same goes for Mannion, he trains every day, he doesn’t miss a minute and we will need him too. Great teams are like that.”
