This time, on the virtual table set by Legnano Basketballthe glass is half empty and not even the analysis of the most optimistic of Legnano fans will ever be able to change the meaning of a disappointing season.
Imagine, therefore, the analysis on the state of the art released by Maurizio Basilico, general manager of Legnano Basket as well as an expert who is both measured and objective.
“A few stories: our year should be considered in a negative way because – explains the manager from Legnano -, we were unable to reach the finish line we had in mind: entering the top eight and playing for the playoffs. An objective which, in all honesty, considering the league table and the progress of the championship, I thought was well within our reach. Instead, a poisonous “mix” made up of a thousand opportunities thrown to the wind, numerous injuries, many games lost for nothing, very obvious gaps in the staff and solar technical-tactical inconsistencies has inflated a regret which, after yet another defeat suffered a few days ago in Cassino, now it flows like rivers. A regret that today forces us to recite a “mea culpa” because, let it be said with all due respect for our opponents, after the top four in the rankings – Pielle, Libertas and the 2 Montecatini teams -, there should have been Legnano Basket. Instead, not only have we never been at those levels, but at a certain point in the season we were dangerously close to the safety zone. In short: the hopes nurtured by our environment and the ambitions declared in the pre-season have been completely disregarded. Then, it is clear, having finished in ninth place, therefore with the certainty of participating in the National B team also in 2024-2025, can legitimately be considered an important goal achieved but, I repeat, ambitions and dreams were aimed a little higher”.
Earlier you spoke of “obvious gaps and inconsistencies”: which ones in particular?
“First of all I bring up the lack of athleticism, physicality and size in battles under the basket. Inside the area all the big men simply laughed at us and tore us to pieces. In order of “freshness” I mention the last one, Moreaux from Cassino who against us had 33 points, 12 rebounds and 8 fouls suffered but in reality, as everyone knows, the list of killer centers is really long. After Sacchettini’s shoulder injury we decided to go to the pivot market and brought home an interesting big man like Ponziani, but Riziero, despite his efforts and the good will shown, was never able to express all his quality by paying for an uncertain physical condition due to a recent and delicate knee surgery. Having said this, I have good reason to believe that with Ponziani at the top in the “Orzinuovi version” things would have ended differently for us. Then, if I refer to the personnel gaps, it is a common opinion, shared by me, that the team has suffered from the lack of an eclectic winger, exuberant from an athletic point of view, capable of going to the rim and building baskets outside from games. In summary I could say that our blanket has always been too short and in the matches that mattered, see for example the 0 wins and 10 losses against the Tuscan teams, the cold was freezing. However, once again, these considerations seem designed to increase the sense of regret for a post-season that we only missed.”
Regrets put aside, it’s already time to look to tomorrow: what’s cooking?
“After a few days of rest, I will meet with the president Marco Tajana and, as we have been doing for twenty years now, first we will sum up this championship then, with extreme frankness, we will tell each other what roads we would like to travel from a future perspective with the total awareness that, in the face of Tommy Marino’s retirement, Planezio’s already declared departure and probable numerous adjustments, a sort of revolution awaits us. Once all this has been done, we will meet coach Paolo Piazza who, being the holder of a contract valid also for next year, will in turn have to express his intentions and above all – concludes “Bizio” Basilico – start tracing the technical route within which, while respecting the budget, I will have to move to build next year’s roster”.
Massimo Turconi
