Virtus Segafredo Bologna reaches the 2024 championship semi-final with a few too many stumbles in Piedmont. However, the physical problems that befell the Bianconeri had a significant impact on the progress of the series, which ended in a good manner authoritarian with a Game 5 played and managed at a high level. After two days it’s already time to prepare, so let’s take an overview of the semi-final which will see Virtus and Venezia face off from tomorrow.
How does the Virtus arrive?
The sore point of the Virtussina infirmary is certainly Iffe Lundberg, injured at the end of Game-2, the Danish playmaker will hardly be seen on the pitch in the series against Reyer, except, in case the series were to extend until Game-5, precisely for the finale. The positive news is certainly the readjustment of all those flu situations that affected in order during the series against Tortona: Shengelia, Belinelli, Hackett and Polonara. What remains to be understood is Dobric’s situation, which on paper appears to still be suffering from the effects of a calf injury.
In Game 5, Le Vu Nere seemed to have rediscovered the luster of a team capable of playing together again, managing to attack the area with continuity and creating alternatives to the perimeter game centered on Belinelli, who often becomes the only offensive weapon for coach Banchi. Against Reyer there will be a need to propose this type of basketball again, with the use of the big men to provide valid alternatives and also some play in pick and roll showy between Cordinier and Zizic. Coach Banchi’s rotations lasted throughout the match and highlighted how everyone can bring a brick to the Juventus construction. The key to everything, however, remains the careful defense that this team needs to get into rhythm, careful rotations and doubles on the ball carrier meant that Tortona never found continuity in their perimeter game.
How do you get to Venice?
The one played by Orogranata was the most balanced quarter-final, Reggio Emilia confirmed itself as a difficult team for anyone, taking the lead twice in the series, but Spahjia’s team was able to recover by winning Games 4 and 5 thanks to its reference man: Rayjon Tucker. The number 59 originally from Charlotte closed the two decisive matches with 24 and 25 points, confirming himself as one of the most dominant players in the championship. He will therefore be the one most awaited by the Juventus defence, with Cordinier a eligible soldier on a mission to limit his effectiveness. The former NBA player is also experiencing an interesting transfer market within the series given Virtus’ apparent interest in bringing him into their ranks next season.
Not just Tucker though, Reyer is generally a team that makes athleticism and physical strength its main weapons: Casarin, Parks, Simms, Brooks and Tessitori himself are players capable of maintaining a very high competitive level. Then there is Mfiondu Kabengele, the former Clippers is currently stuck in the pits since Game 4 and is unlikely to be available for the first races of the series. The ex is also in great shape Marco Spissu who averaged 12.4 points and 5.2 assists in the series against Reggio.
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