Gianlorenzo Blengini embarks on a new career challenge. The head coach of Bulgaria will make his official debut in the Italian Women's Serie A1 on Saturday, when his Vero Volley Milan will host Il Bisonte Florence in the first match of the 2026/27 season. The match at "Allianz Cloud" starts at 9:30 PM Bulgarian time and will be broadcast on Rai Sport and DAZN.
Blengini enters the championship after an excellent dress rehearsal. Milan won the Courmayeur Cup, after defeating champions Conegliano 3-1 in the final, with Paola Egonu scoring 30 points.
"Finally, we are entering the real part of the season and now we are playing for points. The start of the championship has a special charm and brings a little more emotion, because we are really starting now. In the beginning, teams are still looking for their balance and the right game mechanisms. For us on Saturday, the attitude and the way we enter the match will be of primary importance. We must go out with the right mindset and be ready for any difficulty. We can't wait to officially start our adventure in Serie A1," said Blengini.
Shortly before the start of the championship, news emerged about the Milan squad. Volleyball IT reported that the club has already signed Dominican opposite Hitter Alondra Denis Tapia Cruz, who will be an alternative to Paola Egonu. The transfer has not yet been officially announced by Milan.
The situation is also related to Bintu Diop. The Italian opposite Hitter was announced as a new signing for Milan at the end of May, but is no longer listed in the squad published on the club's official website. Volleyball IT indicates that information has emerged from Turkey about a shoulder problem for Diop. However, there is no official announcement from Milan regarding her health status or her contractual status.
For the first match, Blengini can now also count on Japanese player Yoshino Sato and Puerto Rican Valeria Vazquez Gomez. The two have joined the team and can make their first official appearances in a Milan jersey against Florence.
The first round will also feature Bulgarian presence on the court. On Sunday at 6:00 PM Bulgarian time, Mikaela Stoyanova and CBF Balducci Macerata will visit Bergamo, and at 7:00 PM Kalina Veneva and newcomer Brescia will host Talmassons. Both matches are included in the live broadcast program on the official YouTube channel of the Italian Women's League, as well as on DAZN.
Thus, in the very first weekend of Serie A1, eyes from Bulgaria will be focused on three places - on Blengini and his ambitious Milan, as well as on Mikaela Stoyanova and Kalina Veneva at the start of the new season.