Monza, with national players Iliya Petkov and Zhasmin Velichkov, lost at home to Verona with a score of 1:3 (25:23, 25:27, 19:25, 15:25) in the second round of the Italian SuperLega. The hosts won the first set but missed the opportunity to double their lead and allowed a comeback.
The two Bulgarian national players started and finished as starters in all four sets.

Velichkov finished with 12 points – eight from attack, two aces, and two blocks – sharing the top scorer position for Monza with Diego Frascio. Petkov added nine points – seven successful attacks and two blocks.

It was Petkov who closed the first set with a middle attack for 25:23. Before that, Pierre Perrin rattled the visitors with three aces, and Monza managed to win the set, even though Verona equalized at 21:21.
The second set proved crucial. A block by Petkov and an ace by Velichkov gave a 17:15 lead, which the hosts extended to 20:17. However, Verona caught up, and at 25:26, Velichkov's back-row attack met the opponent's block – 25:27 and an equalizer in sets.
After that, the visitors took control and won the next two sets with 25:19 and 25:15.

Rok Možič was the top scorer for Verona with 19 points, Paul Buchegger added 16, and Francesco Sani – 13.
Monza remains without a point after the first two rounds. On October 31, the team hosts Perugia at 19:00 Bulgarian time.

photos: legavolley.it