Milan, 13 October 2024

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

Match Summary: Fabio Soli confirmed the starting six used in the first two matches of the 2024/25 regular season: Sbertoli as setter, Gabi Garcia as opposite, Michieletto and Lavia as outside hitters, Kozamernik and Flavio as middle blockers, and Laurenzano as libero. Allianz Milano, coached by Roberto Piazza, featured Porro as setter, Reggers as opposite, Kaziyski and Louati on the wings, Schnitzer and Caneschi in the middle, and Catania as libero. The home team took advantage of Lavia's shaky start (with an attacking error and a block by Porro) to jump ahead by +2 at 5-7. However, Gabi Garcia stopped Louati with a block, quickly leveling the score at 8. The Milan team showed great determination, and with Kaziyski and Caneschi contributing two counterattacks, they regained a two-point lead at 13-11, forcing the yellow-and-blues to call a timeout. Upon resuming, the home team continued to assert themselves (14-17) with Reggers. Trento remained composed, and with Michieletto (a successful attack followed by an ace), they climbed back to within one point at 19-20. Soon after, a mistake by Reggers brought the score to a tie at 21, and another attack error from the Belgian player gave the visitors a 23-22 lead. Itas Trentino had to wait through five set points in a tightly contested game before finally defeating their opponents 31-29, thanks to a pipe shot from Michieletto, after saving two set points themselves against Milan.
Allianz tries to turn the page after the change of sides, overturning the initial 6-4 lead by Trentino into a 6-8 advantage with Kaziyski playing a key role. Soli calls a time-out, and his team bounces back with Michieletto and Gabi Garcia (10-9 and 13-12). The match proceeds on balanced terms until Lavia makes it 21-19 with an ace; however, Milano, with Louati, levels at 22-22 and takes the lead (23-24). Itas Trentino cancels two set points and closes the set at 29-27 with Michieletto on the fifth attempt.
In the third set, the back-and-forth battle resumes from the first exchanges (4-4, 9-9); Allianz accelerates (9-11), but a timely time-out by Soli clarifies his team's ideas, who then take a brief lead (15-14) before Reggers and Louati's break (15-18). This seems to be the decisive break as the hosts defend well (19-23), but Trento fights back with Lavia until 22-23 before succumbing to Kaziyski's attack (22-25).
In the fourth set, the European Champions immediately put Allianz under pressure with serves and blocks, gaining a promising lead (4-1 and 9-5). Piazza quickly uses his time-outs, but Gabi Garcia's three consecutive blocks establish a decisive 13-6 lead, effectively sealing the match as Milano struggles to recover (18-9), allowing Trento to take the three points with a final score of 25-18 (Lavia scores).

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