By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
Bayern Munich coach Andrea Trinchieri considered the amount of free throws that CSKA Moscow attempted in the EuroLeague loss of his team to the Russian powerhouse as a defining aspect of the game. One that he described as the match’s “Pandora’s Box.”
After congratulating CSKA for the win and citing the 17 offensive rebounds that his opponents collected as a key reason behind the defeat, Trinchieri proceeded to comment on the 32 fouls of his players, a number that contributed to the winning squad shooting 41 free throws.
“Let’s talk about the Pandora’s Vase. 41 free throws. 32 fouls-18 fouls. It’s impossible to win with these numbers. Impossible,” Trinchieri said. The Italian coach didn’t think that the margin in fouls was justified according to how the two teams played.
“My point is that I didn’t see a lot of difference in what we were trying to do and what they were trying to do,” Trinchieri added. “They were better, congratulations to CSKA but sometimes I have the feeling that I have to stick with my players and protect their effort. I can count more than 100 mistakes on my players but basketball is a game of mistakes. The other team also makes mistakes. With this number, there’s no basketball game. It’s impossible. ”
Mike James scored 25 points as CSKA forced Bayern to its first loss after three straight wins while improving its own streak to 5-0. The game was close until the final stretch when CSKA took a 68 – 82 lead with two and a half minutes to play thanks to a 0 – 11 run.
The two teams are now tied at 7 – 3 and on the second place of the EuroLeague standings.