Monaco’s Defensive Lapse Costs Them Top Spot in Euroleague
Monaco’s reign at the summit of the Euroleague standings was short-lived.A resounding 98-84 defeat at home to Barcelona on Thursday night saw the Monegasques relinquish their first-place position. The culprit? A shocking defensive performance that allowed the Catalan side to exploit every weakness.
While leading the Euroleague frequently enough carries little weight, Monaco understood the importance of consistent defensive effort. Maintaining a top spot requires unwavering defensive discipline, a lesson the Roca Team learned the hard way against Barcelona.
The Catalans, who have struggled for consistency this season, occupying 10th place before the match, capitalized on Monaco’s defensive vulnerabilities. Despite trailing by four points at halftime (45-41), Barcelona never relinquished control.
A brief resurgence in the third quarter, spearheaded by Matthew Strazel’s 15-point effort, offered a glimmer of hope for Monaco.However, their defensive frailties proved too costly. Barcelona, particularly Dario Brizuela who shot an impressive 6 of 8 from three-point range for a game-high 27 points, dominated from beyond the arc, shooting at a remarkable 52% success rate.
even mike James’ valiant effort, scoring 23 points and dishing out 8 assists, couldn’t bridge the gap. Monaco’s defensive shortcomings ultimately sealed their fate, resulting in a disheartening loss.
with Olympiakos, led by Evan Fournier, poised to take advantage of monaco’s slip-up, the pressure is on Vassilis Spanoulis’ team. As the coach himself emphasized, “Without defense, we will go nowhere.” Monaco must address their defensive woes if they hope to reclaim their position at the top of the Euroleague.
Monaco’s Defensive Meltdown: A Conversation with Coach Luka Pavicevic
The Euroleague standings are a rollercoaster ride, and this week saw a dramatic twist with Monaco losing their top spot after a humbling defeat at home to Barcelona.
Joining us today is the highly respected coach Luka Pavicevic, a former EuroLeague champion and renowned for his defensive schemes, to dissect this surprising turn of events. Coach Pavicevic, welcome to the show.
Coach Pavicevic: Thank you for having me.
Moderator: Coach,monaco’s defensive performance against Barcelona was widely criticized. What were your key takeaways?
Coach Pavicevic: Well, it wasn’t the Monaco we’ve come to expect. Their usual intensity and discipline were absent. Barcelona exposed their weaknesses, especially their perimeter defence. Allowing a team to shoot 52% from beyond the arc is simply unacceptable at this level.
Moderator: Dario Brizuela was absolutely scorching hot from three-point range. Can you shed some light on how monaco could have contained him?
Coach Pavicevic: Brizuela is a talented player, but Monaco seemed to lose him on several possessions. They need to be more aware of his movement off the ball and contest his shots with more aggression.
Moderator: Monaco’s coach,Vassilis Spanoulis,emphasized the importance of defense after the game,stating “Without defense,we will go nowhere.” Do you agree with his assessment?
Coach Pavicevic: Absolutely. Defense is the foundation of any successful team. Monaco has offensive firepower, but if they can’t consistently get stops, they’ll struggle against top competition.
Moderator: Mike James had a strong offensive performance, but it wasn’t enough. How can monaco regain their offensive rhythm while tightening up defensively?
Coach Pavicevic: It’s about finding a balance. They can’t neglect their offensive game,but they need to prioritize defense. It requires focused effort and communication on every possession.
Moderator: With olympiakos breathing down their neck, the pressure is on Monaco. What advice would you give them as they look to bounce back?
Coach Pavicevic: They need to look inward, identify their mistakes, and work relentlessly on correcting them. This isn’t the time to panic. They need to refocus, re-emphasize their defensive principles, and rediscover the grit that got them to the top in the first place.
Moderator: Great insights, coach. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.
Coach Pavicevic: My pleasure.
Now it’s your turn, fans! What are your thoughts on Monaco’s defensive lapse? Can they reclaim their top spot? Share your predictions and insights in the comments below!
