The coach commented on the words of the Milan coach on the topic of the importance of the clubs for the national team.
During the media day after the coach’s championship victory Ettore Messinawhile discussing the growth of Stefano Tonutspoke about the relationship between the national team and the club.
It was highlighted to the coach how the national team contributed to the growth of the former Venezia with Messina replying: “Here it is Milan that is for the national team. Let’s clear this up straight away. Here is what the clubs do for 11 months that is good for the national team. It’s not the other way around. It has always been like this and I coached the national team for years. So with all due respect and love for Gianmarco and President Petrucci, let’s say it calmly. Here it is the clubs, the coaches, who make sure that these players improve, gain confidence, play well, etc., etc. It’s not the other way around. It’s not a month of activity that then makes us reflect on that… Well, this moment did a lot of good. because he made a big leap in quality here and now I’m sure it will also be reflected in his performance with the national team. And it’s not the Olimpia coach who says it, but someone who has coached the national team for many years”.
Poz’s response
On the pages of Corriere della Sera the coach Gianmarco Pozzecco commented on Messina’s exit: “I have to protect my organization, while respecting the opinions of others. I was a player, even an Italian player, I coached in clubs, now I’m the coach. I never thought I had to clarify how much impact a club can have compared to the national team, and vice versa, on the development of a basketball player. Quantifying it is useless. It also leaves me perplexed that we don’t think as if we belonged to the same team that aims to make a leap in the quality of the movement. I have always been convinced that having been a player gives no advantages if you become a coach. Except for one: you have a team spirit that others, despite gravitating towards basketball, don’t possess”
