The young squad of Vero Volley Monza continues to experience serious difficulties in the Italian SuperLega. The team of Bulgarian internationals Zhasmin Velichkov and Iliya Petkov suffered their fourth loss since the start of the season, after falling at home to Valsa Group Modena with a score of 0:3 (21:25, 14:25, 22:25) in the last match of the fifth round.
Both Bulgarians started as regulars but could not help Monza successfully counter the more experienced opponent. Velichkov and Petkov finished with 6 points each.
Zhasmin Velichkov scored 6 out of 15 attacks for a 40% success rate. The Bulgarian receiver handled 11 reception balls, registering 55% positive and 18% excellent reception.
Iliya Petkov added 6 points – 3 from attack, 2 successful blocks, and one ace. The middle blocker scored 3 out of 8 attacks for a 38% success rate.
Both Bulgarians started all three sets but were substituted during the second set when Modena already had a significant lead. In the third set, coach Massimo Eccheli again opted for the initial six.
Youth had its say
Monza managed to be an equal opponent in the first set but lost 21:25. In the second set, the visitors took a 4:0 lead, then extended their advantage to 19:9 and won convincingly 25:14.
In the third set, the hosts again started well and led 10:8, but Modena gradually took the initiative and closed the match at 25:22.
The most effective player for Monza was opposite Diego Frascio with only 8 points. Grigory Khotsevich also finished with 6, the same as the two Bulgarian internationals.
For the winners, Luca Porro scored 12 points, Nick Mujanovic added 11, and Thomas Jaeschke finished with 9. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award went to setter Amir Tizi-Oualou, who also scored 5 points.
The difference between the two teams was particularly evident in attack. Modena finished with a 61% success rate against only 36% for Monza. The visitors also had an advantage in serving with 5 aces against 3, as well as in blocking with 4 successful blocks against 2.
In front of 1903 spectators at the "Opiquad Arena," the match lasted only 81 minutes.
After the match, Monza's setter Leonardo Bonacchi admitted that youth and lack of experience had a significant impact on their performance.
"The opponent's experience was evident. From the second set, they started to pressure us, while our level dropped. We must remain positive and not be discouraged. We are a very young team with little experience, and that's why fighting spirit and determination are especially important," commented Bonacchi.

The defeat left Monza in last, 12th place in the standings with only 2 points from five matches. The team's only victory came against Cuneo in the previous round.

photos:legavolley.it
For Massimo Eccheli's young team, the season promises to be a serious test, where gaining experience will have to go hand in hand with the battle for points.
After the Super Cup break, Monza will visit Padua on November 22, when Zhasmin Velichkov, Iliya Petkov, and their teammates will seek their second victory of the season.