As we already reported, Perugia might be without Yuki Ishikawa, who suffered a right knee injury, and the worrying news surrounding the Final Four of the Italian Cup continues. This time the problem is in the Trento camp, where Alessandro Michieletto's participation is in serious doubt due to lower back pain. According toVolleyball.itthe Itas Trentino outside hitter has not trained for more than ten days and will be evaluated at the last moment to determine if he can help the team without the risk of aggravating the injury.
Trento waits until the last minute for Michieletto
The situation with Michieletto is delicate because it concerns a problem in the lumbar region, which has already kept the team's star off the court for more than ten days. The staff's plan is for him to resume training only on Thursday or Friday, and participation in the semi-final on Saturday in Bologna against Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza will only be possible if there is no pain.
The club is adamant that no compromises will be made. General Manager Bruno Da Re emphasized that Michieletto will only take to the court if he can play without painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Otherwise, the risk of aggravating the injury is too great, and in a negative scenario, the break could extend until the end of the month.
Limited options and another squad problem
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Trento already has a reduced choice of outside hitters. In the last match against Cuneo, Andrea Giani (no relation to the Italian volleyball legend and France coach) was also unavailable, as he too has health issues – this time in the abdominal area, and his condition is still being assessed.
Thus, Trento's coaching staff is forced to think not only about the semi-final but also about the broader picture – the season is busy, and the combination of Champions League, travel, and high tempo is already affecting the physical condition of key players.
Perugia and the concern around Ishikawa
Against this backdrop, the situation in Perugia with Yuki Ishikawa further reinforces the feeling that the Final Four might be marked by the absence of big names. The Japanese national is among the key figures in the team's structure, and his potential absence would impact both the attack from zone 4 and the stability in reception and play in long rallies.
The big conclusion: The Cup might be decided not by class, but by fitness
The two cases – Michieletto in Trento and Ishikawa in Perugia – show a trend that increasingly determines the season's outcome: trophies are won not only with quality but also with physical resilience and squad depth.
The Final Four of the Italian Cup is generally a tournament where details decide everything – one set, one service run, one error at a crucial moment. But if two of the most dangerous offensive players in Serie A1 remain out of contention, the balance could shift even before the first serve.
And this is precisely what makes the situation even more interesting: instead of the anticipated clash of favorites with optimal squads, the Cup could become a tournament of adaptation, where the winner is whoever finds a solution with available resources – and physically endures until the last ball.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
