Back to back in this final (2-2), the two clubs are also in the results of their confrontations of the season: after eight matches, Asvel, the most successful club in France with twenty crowns, and Monaco, which aims to win their first crown after returning to the top flight in 2015, have four victories each.

Monaco had a match point to claim the title in its Gaston-Médecin hall on Wednesday, but Asvel managed to equalize by winning 85-68.

In the style of play, Asvel and Roca Team diverge.

The Villeurbannais draw their strength from their collective defense and from sharing the ball in attack, as was the case on Wednesday evening, when four players scored more than ten points.

“When you put such a collective force in defense, it goes very well, rejoiced TJ Parker, coach of Asvel. We have to trust each other, that we stay united, even if there is highs and lows."

Monaco depends on individualities

Conversely, the Roca Team relies more on its trio of outstanding attackers made up of Mike James, Alpha Diallo and Dwayne Bacon.

Very often this season, the Monegasques have been impregnable when these three attacking talents set off, on the national scene or in the Euroleague.

Monaco playmaker Mike James dunks in match 4 of the Elite Championship final against Asvel on June 22, 2022 at Louis II Valery HACHE AFP/Archives

But relying on individual talent is risky, because if one or more of these stars performs less well, the whole team suffers.

On Wednesday, Alpha Diallo's attacking contribution was negligible (six points) and Dwayne Bacon's insufficient (ten points), while Mike James woke up too late, finishing the game with the most impressive stat sheet (34 points) without having been decisive.

"We saw our mistakes, we talked about them. We didn't play the way we wanted," ASM coach Sasa Obradovic admitted on Friday at a press conference.

Monaco coach Sasa Obradovic during match 4 against Asvel at the Louis II stadium, played on June 22, 2022 Valery HACHE AFP/Archives

"We talked about our start to the game. It has to be better on Saturday. We simply have to be more efficient defensively and make fewer mistakes offensively. I don't know if everything is back to zero for this game 5. But we must not forget what we did in the last game", he insisted.

"The criticisms of the last match are legitimate given what we produced," added Monaco captain Leo Westermann.

"It's our team. You never know what to expect. You can be flamboyant or way below what you can produce. If the motivation to be a champion is not enough, then as much stop this job. The fact of being able to lift a trophy must transcend us."

"A Burning Astroball"

James, substitute leader of the Brooklyn Nets last season, embodies the double-edged sword of the Roca Team: a formidable scorer, he tends to play a solo score when his team is in difficulty.

However, it was thanks to his qualities as a leader that Monaco had built their victory in the third match (83-80) on Monday (sixteen points and ten assists).

On Saturday, his performance will be a determining factor in ASM's quest for the title.

The club has hit its target twice in the past three years, beaten in the final of the French championship by Le Mans in 2018 then by Asvel in 2019.

Villeurbannais Dylan Osetkowski attacks Alpha Diallo match 4 of the Elite final in Monaco, June 22, 2022 Valery HACHE AFP / Archives

Already at the time, Monaco had fallen in the decisive fifth match...

The task is all the more difficult as the Monegasques will return to Villeurbanne, where they exploded in the heat of the Astroballe during the second match (91-54).

"We are counting on an Astroballe on fire, warned TJ Parker. We have remained there for eleven consecutive matches undefeated."

Asvel coach TJ Parker during match 4 of the Elite championship final in Monaco, April 22, 2022 Valery HACHE AFP/Archives

The epilogue of the 2021-2022 season will therefore be placed under the sign of continuity or rupture.

© 2022 AFP