The all-round Lombard coach on the series against Pistoia: «Biancorossi with lightness, excellent defense will be needed. Brienza? A dear friend”
Third year at the helm Bresciathird year of results excellent And large successes. Coach Alexander Skinny it has also been confirmed in the current season one of the best technicians on the national scene and not only. Born in Castelfiorentino in 1982, he played on the Serie A floors from a very young age – he was just 22 years old. First assistant to coach Simone Pianigiani at Mens Sana Siena during the memorable cycle of championships, then on coach Andrea Diana’s staff in Brescia of which from 2021 it is boss trainer.
A SEASON AT THE TOP
Young but already experienced coach very vast experiencethe Tuscan coach found his ideal dimension in Lombardy where last year he also celebrated the first team trophy by raising the first Italian Cup in the club’s history. A super season with excellent results also in Europe but not perfect in the championship. Since that small disappointment in Serie A, Brescia has restarted stronger with clear ideas and the desire to improve yourself Still in the following season.
«Despite the victory in the Italian Cup and the Eurocup play-offs reached, we started again with the bitter taste in the mouth left by failure to participate in the play-offs last year – admitted coach Magro to our microphones -. We therefore decided to relaunch by maintaining 7/10 of the roster and adding three very important players (Christon, Burnell and Bilan, ed). We had big desire to compete and ambition to do wellalthough there was initially no awareness of the level we could reach.”
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«Overall it was a season of ups and downs but we are extremely satisfied – he continued -. We have been at the top of the rankings all year and I think third position was deserved. One of the most important victories, however, remains having rekindled the enthusiasm in the city. The arena is always full, many people want to be part of the party and see us play. Brescia is a city that breathes basketball and what the boys have managed to do off the pitch is really important.”
THE SUPER PISTOIA VINTAGE
The third place achieved put in front of Brescia sixth in the rankings Extract Pistoia. A play-off quarter-final truly full of ideas between two of the best teams interesting of this season. Distant objectives and rosters but both teams put on a show and deservedly took the lead cover of Serie A 23/24.
«As Mauro Ferrari already said last week, Pistoia won its sporting championship in the regular season – said Magro -. You were surprised by how after winning in A2 you quickly adapted to the technical and financial demands of Serie A. Sambugaro he made a very big Work in setting up the group, Nicholas Brienza an excellent job in maximizing the resources available by playing in the most effective way possible. All this must be elevated in light of the complicated start of 0-4. Someone, mistakenly, already gave Pistoia for doomed, which instead subverted every prediction. A team capable of playing lightly and effectively even away from PalaCarrara, winning many away victories on difficult pitches. As a Tuscan, however, I know well how complicated it is to play in a building full of Tuscans (laughs, ed)”.
«I EXPECT A LONG SERIES»
Strengthened by the advantage of the field factor, Brescia will host the first two matches at the PalaLeonessa Sunday and Tuesday, before moving to PalaCarrara for Game 3 on Friday. After losing both matches in the regular season, Pistoia will try to bring home at least one match thus lengthen the series and fuel the hopes of carrying out a possible new miraculous feat.
«In the play-offs everything is reset and everyone plays their cards to win – said the coach from Castelfiorentino -. Both teams have grown in awareness and in the way they play. In the championship we won twice by double figures but they were matches true and fought for large stretches. I remember on the fourth day it was really complicated to play in Pistoia. We have enormous respect for the red and white club and its value.”
“THE themes there will be many in the series – he added -. We are preparing Race 1 down to the smallest detail. In my opinion, if a team wants to be competitive it cannot do without one excellent defence. We will try to limit the guns of Pistoia which, thanks to its players and gaming system, has one really good offensive phase. I expect a long series, with many adjustments inside and situations to change on both sides. We are very focused on the quality of our play and our defense regardless of our opponent. I think this proves it even more respect we have towards Pistoia».
A Race 1 in Brescia that awaits immediately fundamental to direct the series. «From a mental point of view I think Pistoia will come to play lightly – continued the former Omegna coach -. Not without competitive attention or without feeling the game but aware of having largely achieved one’s goal and that everything that comes now is a keep dreaming. And they will want to do it. They will arrive without the obligation of having to win, a lightness that could translate into playing freely and with great shooting performances.”
«I have been lucky enough to be part of groups that have played many play-offs and I believe they are the odd matches to direct the series. The first one in Brescia will be important to understand the first situation adjust or from ride ahead of the following matches. The premiere in Pistoia will be equally important in the economy of the series. Starting well and playing well in Game 3 would give both of them a good chance pass the turn. Clearly it’s not a given that they will really decide the series but I think they will be fundamental.”
STRONG GROUPS AND MANY DUELS
Together with Cremona, Pistoia and Brescia they have in common the fact that they will clash in the play-offs the same rosters built in the summer. A particular characteristic given the large number of transfers made by the other clubs in the championship. Two very strong groups in which first-rate individuals stand out. From the slinging wingers to the great physicality forwards, up to the duel in bench. A challenge between two friends who, after passing the next round, will probably also compete for the best coach of the year award. A recognition that was awarded to at the end of the 2020/21 season coach Skinnyin his first year on the white and blue bench.
«Planning requires ability and luck in guessing the summer market – he admitted -. Every piece has to fall into place and that’s not easy. Everyone has an idea of a team which must then materialize on the pitch, finding the right chemistry. Those who succeed tend to have a good championshipThose who have to change a lot because things don’t go as planned have more difficulty. We are the only team without even a movement, unlike Pistoia we have a deeper roster and even in moments of difficulty linked to injuries we drew internally.”
«There will certainly be many good duelsstarting with the two point guards. Moore he is among the MVP candidates, he was the protagonist of a surprising season in terms of his ability to score and score. Christon he was willing to leave a lot of his own to lead a group made up of many players who need possession. Last year he scored a lot, this year he has become our metronome, putting himself at the service of the team. If we don’t find out From the Valley And Bilanlet’s find out instead Willis And Ogbeide. The first with Varnado closes a great performance exterior package. The center had a really interesting championship in terms of solidity, he came from a lower league and immediately performed well. We were good at signing high-level players and creating a system where everything works perfectly and where everyone is happy to play».
«Nicola and I are very good friends – concluded coach Magro -. We attended the coaching course together, we were both assistants in Serie A of teams that did well. Speaking of the award, I think it deserves a special mention too Paul Galbiati. There are five in the running three young coaches all around 40 years old. Regardless of who wins, e.g Nicola deserves it absolutely for what he did with his team, I think he is a stimulus for the new generations. Little by little something is moving. Three young coaches who coach ambitious teams to the Serie A play-offs. Something really beautiful, a symptom of a generational change even on the bench».
