Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina recorded their 12th loss of the season in the SuperLega, after falling at home to Allianz Milano with a score of 0:3 (18:25, 23:25, 14:25). The hosts from Marche never managed to find a counter to their superior opponent and continue to await their first victory of the campaign.
The guests from Milano set the pace from the very first set, making better use of their serve and block. In the second set, Grottazzolina stayed in the score longer, but again allowed a run of points in the decisive rallies. The third set was one-sided and quickly concluded in favor of the guests.
Tatarov did not appear in the game, remaining 12 points short of the 100-point mark for the season.
Iliya Petkov finished with a modest 3 points. For the hosts, Iranian Gozade scored 11 points, and Magalini added 10, but these were not enough to win even a single set.
Above all was SuperLega's top scorer Ferre Reggers – 18 points for Milano. Recine contributed 11, and Japanese Otsuka added 10 for the Lombards' seventh victory of the season.
With this success, Allianz Milano now has 20 points and occupies seventh place in the standings, immediately ahead of them is Civitanova (Lube). Milano's first half of the season ended on an upward trajectory despite numerous personnel problems.
On the other hand, Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina remains with just 2 points – an identical scenario to last season. Coach Massimiliano Ortenzi's team showed moments of growth, but the lack of finishing class once again proved crucial.
The match was Grottazzolina's last before Christmas and another missed opportunity to climb up the standings. Four points separate them from second-to-last place, held by Cisterna, and the distance to Cuneo is seven.
For Milano, the season continues with moderate optimism. Despite injuries – Roti, Krelling, Masulović, and Barbanti, as well as personnel changes at the libero position – Roberto Piazza's team has stabilized its play. The Krelling–Reggers diagonal remains among the strongest in the league, and the club continues to survey the market for another addition.
This was the fourth match between the two teams in Serie A. Grottazzolina's only victory remains the tie-break from last season.
photos:legavolley.it
