Basketball, Rodriguez against Teodosic: Milan-Bologna is worth the head

For three years when we talk about the Olimpia-Virtus challenge (or vice versa) the theme ends or begins with the Rodriguez-Teodosic duel (or vice versa), or rather the two great brains of the two great rivals. The Chacho and Re Milos have in common not only the fact of being champions but also of having landed in Italy the same summer 2019 and of having relaunched in Europe (the Spanish from Milan) and in Italy (the Serbian from Bologna) the most emblazoned in our basketball. Moreover, their mission is not over yet. Rodríguez is still aiming for the Euroleague Final Four to give himself one last triumph at the age of 35; Teodosic, after winning the Scudetto, must complete the work by bringing Virtus back to the most important tournament, also now seasoned at 34 years of age, passing through the narrow Eurocup door. Today, whoever wins will be first in the standings and the two magic players will have more space to face each other than the games in which they were savored and spared from the deep rotations of their team until injuries and Covid shortened the staff. Both, in the programs of their coaches, come into play in the hot and strategic moments to change the face of the games or in the great challenges when no one can be spared.

Messina and Scariolo treat them (better: they would like to treat them), like precious Swarovski, crystals of very fine and dazzling light when they release all their class. Rodriguez together with Hines is among the players destined for the grandstand in the turnover of the championship when Milan can concede it for primary Euroleague needs, but the injury to Delaney has changed something in the plans with Chacho back active as usual. The same goes for Teodosic who together with Belinelli should have enjoyed conservative treatment for the decisive challenges that will come in the spring, but Mannion’s problems and the continuous injuries that have decimated the team since September have often called him back into action sooner than expected. that his use, on 24 ‘per match, is the same as that of the Djordjevic management.

From theirs they have the advantage that today, after having taken their respective teams by the hand or on the shoulders in the past, they can not squeeze in attack to score points or invent a game even if the art of assist, common to both, always comes in the end. almost natural outside. Looking at the reasons, the challenge of the Forum is a potential opportunity for revenge for the Chacho who in the 2021 playoffs saw the rival dominate the field, win the Scudetto with a resounding 4-0 and raise the Mvp trophy of the Finals as the Spaniard collapsed. together with all of Milan. King Milos, on the other hand, does not have to ask for much in the duel. After leaving the game keys to super Pajola, he can now wait for the game to come his way to grab it when the time is right.