Manuel Zlatanov played a strong match for Gas Sales Bluenergy (Piacenza), but his team suffered their first loss of the season in the Italian SuperLega. In the fourth-round derby, Piacenza lost away to Itas (Trentino) with a score of 2:3 (16:25, 20:25, 25:23, 25:18, 8:15).
The match in the "BTS Arena" pitted two teams against each other who, until that moment, had not suffered a defeat and had won the maximum number of points.
The hosts started convincingly and took a 2:0 lead in sets after 25:16 and 25:20. Piacenza, however, found the strength to change the course of the match. The visitors improved their performance and won the next two sets with 25:23 and 25:18, bringing intrigue back into the match.
In the tie-break, a series of serves by Théo Faure proved decisive, thanks to which Trento asserted its superiority and closed the match with 15:8.
Manuel Zlatanov finished with 15 points, including 2 blocks and 47% positive reception. More than him scored Alessandro Bovolenta – 16, Miguel Gutierrez added 13 points, which places Dimitar Zlatanov's grandson in second place for scoring in the team.
For the winners, Théo Faure scored 17 points, Alessandro Michieletto added 14, and Daniele Lavia – 13. The Brazilian national player and Trentino's receiver Adriano Chavier, who finished with 11 points, was chosen as the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Statistics show relatively close indicators for both teams. Trento finished with 7 aces against 6 for Piacenza, 8 successful blocks against 7, and 56% attack efficiency against 52% for the visitors. The difference was more noticeable in reception – 47% positive for the hosts against 40% for Piacenza.

photo:legavolley.it