Trento, 24 April 2024

Play Off, Milan conquers the ilT quotidiano Arena 3-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the series

In the third game of the final series for the 3rd place of the Play Off Scudetto, the home court factor went down. After a home win on each side at the tie break in game 1 and game 2, Wednesday evening Allianz Milano managed to conquer Trento's ilT quotidiano Arena with the maximum score, gaining the advantage for the first time. Thanks to the 3-0 away win, now the ‘meneghini’ will have two opportunities to close the series in their favour to gain access to the next edition of the CEV Champions League (guaranteed to the team that will win the bronze medal of the championship): the first already on Saturday, April 27 in Lombardy (8:30 pm).
The fifth home defeat of the season will therefore force Itas Trentino to work overtime and play a very different kind of volleyball from the one saw Wednesday if they want to play in the 2024/25 season in the top continental trophy. Milan managed to corner Trento right from the start, showing that they had more determination and fuel than their opponents. Winning the first two hard-fought sets with character, Piazza's team then ramped up in the third set, when Trento almost immediately stopped believing in a possible comeback and the third tie break of the series. Ishikawa (MVP and best scorer) and Mergarejo Hernandez led their teammates towards the success, scoring 15 of the 26 break points made by Allianz. Itas Trentino lived on the flashes of Rychlicki (the only one in double figures together with Magalini) and Kozamernik at the block (four of the eight blocks bear the Slovenian's signature), without ever giving the impression of being able to reverse the trend. Saturday’s game 4 in Milan will be the last chance to get back in the race.

Below is the scoreboard of game 3 of the Final 3rd Place Play Off Credem Banca 2024 played Wednesday night at the ilT quotidiano Arena.

Itas Trentino-Allianz Milano 0-3
(22-25, 23-25, 14-25)
ITAS TRENTINO: Podrascanin 1, Sbertoli 1, Michieletto 9, Kozamernik 8, Rychlicki 10, Magalini 10, Laurenzano (L); Acquarone, Pace, Nelli 1, D’Heer 1, Cavuto 2. N.e. Berger and Garcia. Coach: Fabio Soli.
ALLIANZ: Vitelli 3, Porro 5, Ishikawa 18, Loser 10, Reggers 11, Mergarejo Hernandez 14, Catania (L); Kaziyski, Zonta, Dirlic 1. N.e. Starace, Innocenzi, Piano, and Colombo. Coach: Roberto Piazza.
REFEREES: Vagni from Perugia and Brancati from Città di Castello (Perugia).
SET LENGTH: 28’, 27’, 24’; tot: 1h and 19’.
NOTES: 2,629 spectators, total revenue: € 20,532. Itas Trentino: 8 blocks, 3 aces, 10 serve errors, 3 action errors, 42% attack, 34% (13%) reception. Allianz: 10 blocks, 7 aces, 13 serve errors, 3 action errors, 49% attack, 46% (8%) reception. MVP: Ishikawa.

Trentino Volley Srl
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