The first wasted opportunity is now behind us. A week ago Gema he gave in at the end to Avellino, 79-81, conceding a few too many rebounds in attack and wasting those free throws that could have secured fourth place with a round to spare. Little to do except look to the future: the fourth-fifth place battle with Avellino is still alive and coach Del Re’s rossoblu will win it they need a victory on Sunday in Desio (Palazzetto Aldo Moro, with PalaFitLine busy with the A2) at 6pm: otherwise it will be fifth place, still flattering, but without the advantage of home advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
“The match in Desio is important for us to conquer this fourth place, which has been ours for 33 days and we deserve it for what we have done throughout the year – comments the Gema coach – On Sunday we will play against a team that has nothing to ask, already sure of the playout against Salerno, who will have the serenity of not necessarily winning and will be free of mind. A dangerous team, which probably would never have thought of being in this position in the standings at the end of the season.”
A collective, that of Rimadesio, made up of expert and talented players like Sodero, one of the best scorers of the team, but also atypical: Giarelli and Maspero are long but can also play from the outside, they attack in front of the basket and shoot from three points.
“The only big man in the role is Klanskis, so we’re talking about a team with 11 players and interesting individuals: Mazzoleni attacks well both front and back at the basket, Baldini is a left-footed player who often scores double figures, Valsecchi is a point guard from 2004 who shoots 45% from three,” continues Del Re. “We have to put everything we have into play to play a game of great intensity, especially mentally. We want to prepare for the playoffs with a victory and redeem ourselves after the defeat against Avellino with concentration, courage and awareness that we deserve fourth place. We will have to avoid high pace, and try to remove certainties from their game system. And above all not be influenced by a small field, like PalaMoretto, which could become a sort of bunker if there were many spectators”
