Milano, 15 November 2023

Allianz Milano-Itas Trentino 1-3, the match report

The match report. The starting six hold no surprises; Itas Trentino once again shows up with Sbertoli as setter, Rychlicki as opposite, Lavia and Michieletto as hammers in area 4, Podrascanin and Kozamernik as middle blockers, Laurenzano as libero. Allianz Milano responds with Porro as setter, diagonally to spikers Reggers, Ishikawa and Kaziyski, Piano and Loser in the middle, Catania as libero. Trento starts strong, first in the ball change (5-5) and then in the break point phase (Michieletto's ace and Sbertoli's block on Ishikawa: 8-6). The hosts tried to come back (10-10) with Reggers, but were stopped by Lavia's counterattack and Ishikawa's net error (16-13, time out Piazza). The Japanese player brings the two teams closer again with an ace (18-17), then it is Reggers who ties the score at 19. In the end, Trento wins the set thanks to a pair of breaks made by its area 4 players, Lavia and Michieletto (25-22).
The second set starts balanced but Allianz quickly gains the advantage, thanks to Kaziyski and Ishikawa (scoring an ace each for 5-7). The Italian champions retake their opponents at 14 thanks to the excellent contribution of Kozamernik, but soon after they lose contact again thanks to Ishikawa's acceleration and the greater defensive intensity proposed by the opposite team (15-19). Trento keeps fighting until 20-23, then has to give way to Piano and Reggers for the 21-25 score that brings the match to a tie.
Soli's team got off to a better start in the third set, thanks to ever effective Michieletto and a surgical work by Lavia (11-8 after the initial 6-6). Allianz tried to fight back (12-11), but the Gialloblùs managed to create a new breakaway (19-15) with Michieletto as absolute protagonist, well backed by Lavia. The 2-1 outside lead comes as early as 25-19, once again with a remarkable effort by Michieletto.
The hosts start slowing down in the fourth set, suffering from the yellow-blue serve and counterattack. Sbertoli is still in top-shape and leads his team to 6-2, then to 8-4. Piazza alternates several players trying to find an answer, which comes with Loser on serve. The score goes back up to 11-9 (time out by Soli). At resumption Trento widens back the gap with Rychlicki and Lavia (15-10 and 18-11) and goes smoothly all the way to the victory (25-16), earning three points, the confirmation at the top of the rankings and keeping the unbeaten streak in the regular season.

Trentino Volley Srl
Press Office