Pozzecco extinguishes the controversy: “Melli gave everything against Turkey”

In the February window just ended, theItalbasket started his journey towards EuroBasket 2025 in the best possible way with two precious victories against Türkiye and Hungary. Despite the successes, however, a small controversy broke out around the national team, caused by the authorization granted to some players to leave the gathering immediately after the first match. Aside from Tonut, who was recalled to Milan due to a wrist injury, Spagnolo, Flaccadori and Melli also left before the match against Hungary. In particular, the exclusion of Melli, a fundamental player for Italy as well as captain, leading some people to even think of a call from Messina towards Pozzecco to bring the Olimpia player back earlier than expected.

☎️ “Pozz, a call from Milan!”

– Marco Pagliariccio (@loupaya) February 23, 2024

A fairly small controversy, if you leave us permission to judge it, but still Gianmarco Pozzecco wanted to clarify in a recent interview given to Corriere dello Sport. The Italy coach addressed many topics during the chat with the newspaper, speaking among other things about Melli’s management. On this aspect, Poz was very clear, revealing a pre-established “agreement” with the player before the call-up and the match against Turkey.

I was clear with Nik. I like not having filters when we communicate and I had asked him to come and give me, at least with Turkey, that presence that the group needs.

That Melli is a player fundamental for the Italian national team it is now an established fact. Not calling him, in a window in which there was finally the possibility, would therefore have been decidedly wrong. The player therefore made himself available, but evidently felt that he was unable to give 100% in both matches. Consequently, after the excellent performance with Turkey, Pozzecco chose to let him preserve his energy by returning him to Milan.

He scored 17 points in 20 minutes, almost as if to sign our agreement. He pushed himself, he gave everything. So in the second race the choice was for fresh energy.

No call from Milan, therefore, e no subjugation on the part of Pozzecco towards Messina. A simple technical and personal decision, taken between coach and player. There communication could it have been clearer, leaving no room for erroneous interpretations of any kind? In all likelihood the answer is yes. But the feeling is that, as always happens in Italy, another motivation would have been found to spark another, useless controversy.