Monza registered another loss in the Italian SuperLega and is now firmly at the bottom of the standings, where the other "Bulgarian" team – Grottazzolina – keeps them company. This time, the team from Brianza conceded a 0:3 (23:25, 23:25, 17:25) defeat at home to the in-form Piacenza, with the guests demonstrating strong composure in key moments and breaking the resistance of Martin Atanasov and his teammates in the first two sets, before decisively closing the third.
Dramatic second set – Monza's missed chance
The hosts have serious reasons for regret, especially in the second set, which they controlled almost until the very end. At 22:21 for Monza, the turnaround occurred: Piacenza equalized, and immediately after, Efe Mandıra set an ace against Martin Atanasov for 22:23. A block followed for set point, and Martila scored the set point after a serving error.
The missed opportunity to equalize heavily affected Monza's concentration. In the third set, the hosts started evenly, but gradually the visitors put more pressure with their serves, while Monza began to make mistakes. The lead slowly but surely increased, and after an attack out by Martila, the score became 16:23. A block against Martin Atanasov gave the first match point, and the match ended after an unsuccessful back-row attack by the Bulgarian national player – 17:25.
Individual performances
Zhasmin Velichkov received limited playing time, appearing sporadically on serve but without scoring a point. The main burden for Monza once again fell on the primary attackers Martila and Martin Atanasov, but their efforts were not enough against a more disciplined and effective Piacenza.
The most effective player in the match was the Turkish international Efe Mandıra, who put on a real show in attack and on serve.
Statistics of key scorers
| Player | Team | Total Points | Attack | Block | Ace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efe Mandıra | Piacenza | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 |
| Alessandro Bovolenta | Piacenza | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Martila | Monza | 11 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Martin Atanasov | Monza | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
The visitors' main advantage came from service, where they scored 6 aces, compared to just one for Monza. In blocking, although by a small margin, the advantage was again on Piacenza's side with a 7-8 lead. There was parity in opponent errors, but the primary advantage was in attack, where the percentages were 41% for Monza versus 57% for the winners from Piacenza.
The statistics clearly highlight Piacenza's superiority in attack and the tactical significance of the serve. Mandarajiev was not only the primary scorer but also, with his three aces, turned the second set around and dictated the pace of the match.
This latest defeat places Monza in an extremely difficult position. The team is experiencing significant stability issues, and the lack of squad depth further exacerbates the situation. With poor reception, lost key rallies, and limited defensive effectiveness (digs), the team struggles to contend with more aggressive opponents. The next match is a 'Bulgarian' derby, as Monza hosts Lube Civitanova on December 3rd.
photos:legavolley.it
