Three days after formalizing the departure of its coach Sasa Obradovic, AS Monaco knew they were particularly expected this Thursday in the Euroleague. The identity of their evening opponent reinforced this feeling, since the Monegasques saw ASVEL advancing against them. A team which had already beaten them in the championship at the beginning of October, highlighting their inadequacies at the start of the season. However, in this unfavorable context and despite a sluggish start to the match, the Roca Team managed to take their revenge with a clear victory over their French rival (103-92).
Much more in place this season than their European record (3 victories in 10 matches) suggests, the Villeurbannais quickly took the lead (8-19). Théo Maledon overwhelmed Mike James but Elie Okobo and Monaco limited the damage at the end of the first quarter (20-25). Quickly back on track but not very skilful (22% from three points), the locals struggled to take the advantage (28-29). The standoff continued until the break, which ASVEL finally reached with a two-unit lead (38-40).
A fatal third quarter for ASVEL
With the awakening of Mike James and a renewed aggressiveness, the Rocher club got off to a strong start by signing a 10-0 after returning from the locker room (48-40)! For its part, Pierric Poupet's team relied on its captains Nando De Colo and Joffrey Lauvergne (22 points between them) to try to stay in the match but could not contain a Roca Team in full swing (75-64 after 30 minutes). While ASVEL tried as best they could to come back, Elie Okobo continued his festival and the gap widened even further (92-74). The end of the match was nothing more than a formality for the double reigning French champion despite a slight relaxation (103-92).
With Georgian assistant Manuchar Markoishvili at the head of the team, Monaco managed to take their revenge. An important victory acquired thanks in particular to the excellent Elie Okobo (27 points, 6 assists), which prevents the Monegasques from sinking into crisis and allows them to remain in ambush at the foot of the top 6 of the Euroleague. For its part, ASVEL stayed in the match for 20 minutes before collapsing. Despite the good performances by Théo Maledon (22 points, 8 assists) and Mbaye Ndiaye (18 points, 3 rebounds) in particular, the Rhône team concedes an 8th defeat and remains stuck at the bottom of the table for the moment.
Boxscore Monaco – ASVEL / Euroleague standings
