Consar returns to the field. We need to honor the Italian Cup and, perhaps, put the icing on the cake of an exciting season. This afternoon, the Giallorossi troop will be on stage in Pordenone against Prata (at PalaCrisafulli, kick-off at 6pm, referees Armandola and Priserà; live free-to-air on volleyballworld.tv). It is the first leg match of the quarter-finals. And it is also the sixth time that the two teams face each other in the current season, after the regular season (3-2 and 2-3) and after the quarter-finals of the promotion playoffs (3-0, 2-3, 3- 0). Now it’s the turn of the Italian Cup, where Prata eliminated Aversa in the round of 16 (3-0 and 3-1). The return match will be played on Sunday evening, at 7pm, at the Pala de André.
In the event of a tie in points won, we will proceed with the golden set (3 points are awarded for victories 3-0 or 3-1, 2 points for a victory in the tie break and 1 point for a defeat in the tie break. If a team wins the first leg 3-0 or 3-1, to go through without playing the golden set they will have to win at least 2 sets in the return match). At stake is the final four in Cuneo scheduled for 11 and 12 May. Coach Bonitta has to give up on Bovolenta being called up to the national team (“It is right to leave Alessandro the chance to fight for the great goal of the Olympics”), and has already made it clear that there will be some turnover, with Arasomwan being the No. 1 candidate to fill the role on the contrary: “We still find ourselves faced with Prata – explained the Giallorossi coach – each with their own motivations and no more secrets. I saw that against Aversa, in the previous round, Prata gave space to some less used players. He is the one which we will also do. The current situation forces me to think about those guys who have had less space during the year and who deserve to play.”
Bonitta also outlined the objective: “Among the eight teams competing in the quarter-finals, there are some who are very motivated, others who wish to make up for a lackluster championship finish. Our objective? We will try to do everything that is in the our chances to win and to go to the final four in Cuneo, because for me, the principle of playing matches to win is always valid.”
Bovolenta’s absence will also have repercussions on Consar’s qualification path for the final eight of the Junior League. The other evening, the Giallorossi team, led from the bench by coach Mollo, won 3-1 at Santa Croce sull’Arno, with 24 points from Orioli and 16 from Feri. On Tuesday 8 May, at the PalaCosta, Consar will have the chance to access the final eight, but they will need a success against Castellana Grotte, who they defeated 3-2 at Santa Croce. “The Junior League – added Bonitta – remains another important objective for the club. This also explains the use of all the 2004 first team players, in addition to Tomassini and Pascucci who, in the current season, played respectively in Garlasco and Marcianise in A3. Bovolenta’s absence forces us to reformulate our tactical thoughts, but here too, we will try to do the best we can to get into the final.”
