EA7 Emporio Armani Milan Starts Season with Convincing Win in Belgrade
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan opened their EuroLeague 2025-26 campaign with an impressive 92-82 road victory over Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in front of 17,382 passionate fans in the Serbian capital. The Italian side demonstrated poise and efficiency throughout the contest, maintaining control from the opening tip and never allowing the hosts to find their rhythm.
The victory showcased Milan's depth and balanced scoring attack, with multiple players contributing in double figures. The away team's ability to execute on both ends of the floor proved decisive, as they built incremental leads in each quarter and weathered every attempt by Crvena Zvezda to mount a comeback.
Leday Leads the Charge with Masterful Performance
Zach Leday emerged as the game's standout performer, delivering a tour de force with 21 points on remarkable 7-of-11 shooting from the field. The American forward was a constant threat in the paint and showed touch from beyond the arc, connecting on one of his two three-point attempts. Perhaps most impressive was his ability to get to the free-throw line, where he converted 6 of 7 attempts while drawing seven fouls from the Crvena Zvezda defense.
Leday's efficiency rating of 25 was the highest among all players on the court, and his contributions went beyond scoring. He grabbed five rebounds, recorded a steal, and played physical defense throughout his nearly 25 minutes of action. His plus-minus of +2 might seem modest, but his presence was felt whenever he was on the floor, particularly during crucial stretches in the second and third quarters when Milan extended their advantage.
Shields and Mannion Provide Steady Contributions
Shavon Shields complemented Leday's performance with 13 points of his own, shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field including 2-of-4 from three-point range. The Danish guard showed his versatility by contributing four rebounds, two assists, and a steal while maintaining composure against Crvena Zvezda's defensive pressure. His ability to space the floor and knock down perimeter shots opened driving lanes for his teammates throughout the contest.
Niccolo Mannion orchestrated Milan's offense with intelligence and poise, finishing with nine points and five assists in over 26 minutes of play. The Italian guard's court vision and decision-making were critical in ensuring Milan's offense flowed smoothly. Though he committed three turnovers, his overall impact was positive, particularly in pick-and-roll situations where he found open teammates for quality scoring opportunities.
Nebo Dominates Inside with Perfect Shooting
Josh Nebo provided Milan with dominant interior presence, converting all five of his field goal attempts on his way to 12 points. The Slovenian big man's efficiency was remarkable, and his ability to finish around the basket gave Milan easy points in transition and off offensive rebounds. Nebo also contributed five rebounds, two assists, and drew two fouls while playing error-free basketball with just one turnover in nearly 28 minutes.
His plus-minus of +6 reflected his positive impact on both ends of the floor. Defensively, Nebo altered shots and protected the rim, making life difficult for Crvena Zvezda's interior players. His partnership with Leday in the frontcourt gave Milan a formidable inside-outside combination that the hosts struggled to contain.
Bench Production Proves Decisive
Milan's bench outscored Crvena Zvezda's reserves significantly, with key contributions from several players. Marko Guduric knocked down three three-pointers on his way to 10 points in just under 17 minutes, providing instant offense when the starters needed rest. His plus-minus of +9 demonstrated his impact during his stint on the floor.
Giampaolo Ricci added eight points on perfect 3-of-5 shooting, including two three-pointers, in just under 10 minutes of action. Armoni Brooks contributed eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, showcasing the depth that could prove crucial throughout the long EuroLeague season. Leandro Bolmaro rounded out the double-digit scorers with nine points, five rebounds, and two assists while posting a game-high +8 plus-minus rating.
Crvena Zvezda's Struggles and Bright Spots
Despite the home loss, Crvena Zvezda showed flashes of competitiveness, particularly from Jordan Nwora, who led all scorers with 19 points. The American forward battled hard, shooting 8-of-16 from the field and grabbing six rebounds, but his efforts weren't enough to overcome Milan's balanced attack. His minus-11 plus-minus reflected the team's struggles when he was on the court.
Codi Miller-McIntyre provided solid playmaking with 14 points and six assists, though he committed two turnovers in a losing effort. Tyson Carter came off the bench to score 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, providing an offensive spark, but Crvena Zvezda couldn't string together consistent defensive stops.
The hosts' bench received an outstanding performance from Ebuka Izundu, who shot a perfect 7-of-7 from the field to finish with 14 points and an efficiency rating of 18. His plus-minus of +12 was the best among Crvena Zvezda players, suggesting the team performed better with him on the floor. However, the overall bench production couldn't match Milan's second unit.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Milan established early control, taking the first quarter 22-20 before extending their advantage to 45-41 at halftime. The Italian side won the first quarter by two points and matched that margin in the second quarter, showing consistent execution. The third quarter saw Milan maintain their edge with a 24-22 advantage, and they closed out the game by winning the fourth quarter 23-19 to secure the 10-point victory.
The consistent scoring in each period demonstrated Milan's ability to maintain intensity and execution throughout the 40 minutes. Crvena Zvezda never led by more than a possession and couldn't generate the momentum-changing run needed to overcome Milan's disciplined performance.
Looking Ahead
This opening night victory sends a clear message about Milan's aspirations for the season. The combination of veteran leadership, young talent, and impressive depth suggests they will be competitive throughout the campaign. The ability to win on the road in a hostile environment like Belgrade bodes well for future away contests.
For Crvena Zvezda, the loss highlights areas that need improvement, particularly defensive consistency and ability to contain multiple scoring threats. With Nikola Kalinic limited by foul trouble (five fouls in just over 27 minutes despite 10 points and five assists), the Serbian side will need to find ways to keep their key players on the floor while tightening up their defensive rotations.
As both teams continue their EuroLeague journeys, this Round 1 matchup established Milan as an early contender while providing Crvena Zvezda with valuable lessons about the level of execution required to compete at European basketball's highest level.
