The regular season inSuperLega Credem Bancais entering its decisive phase. After the completion of the 21st round, the 22nd – the last one – will definitively shape the playoff structure. The Top 8 participants are already known, as is the relegated team, but the distribution in the upper half of the table remains open and holds significant strategic importance.

At first glance, the intrigue seems limited. In reality, however, the final round will determine:

• who will have home-court advantage in the quarter-finals,

• who will face Lube Civitanova,

• and what the path to the semi-finals will look like.

And in Trento's special case – and how their form will be managed during the busiest period of the season.

Standings after Round 21

Table analysis

Perugia (55 pts) is an unassailable leader. Verona (48 pts) is also secure in second place. Civitanova (37 pts) is firmly sixth, Milano – seventh, Monza – eighth. Grottazzolina is relegated.

The real intrigue is concentrated in the range3rd-4th-5th place, where Trento and Modena both have 44 points, and Piacenza – 43.

Here the stakes are twofold:

1. The top four teams have home-court advantage in the quarterfinal series.

2. The third-placed team will face Lube Civitanova – last season's finalist.

Fifth place means losing home-court advantage and a more unfavorable position in the playoffs.

The battle for 3rd-4th-5th place

Trento – the reigning champion

Trento is defending the Scudetto. In such a situation, the psychological burden is different – expectations are higher, and every weakness is scrutinized.

The team, however, is in a complicated personnel situation:

• Micheletto is still not available.

• Daniele Lavia returns after a five-month absence due to a severe finger injury on his attacking right hand and is gradually getting back into shape.

Rotation on the wings of the net is limited, and that's where the greatest physical strain is concentrated.

Modena

Modena is in the most comfortable strategic position. They are not participating in the Supercup and have no European playoff at the beginning of March. The entire focus can be directed towards the league standings.

Piacenza

Piacenza is also entirely focused on the domestic championship. The 3:1 victory over Trento (23:25, 25:23, 25:21, 25:22) brought the team back into contention for third place and definitively deprived Lube of any hopes of climbing.

The 'Lube' Factor

Civitanova is firmly sixth. They are waiting for the third-placed team in the standings.

If Trento finishes third – there will be a repeat of last season's final already in the quarter-finals. This adds historical context and psychological pressure.

Lube has no European playoff at the beginning of March, and although they participate in the Supercup (an image tournament), the main focus will be on the quarter-final series.

The Busy Calendar – The Special Case of 'Trento'

Trento's situation is the most complex.

Within ten days, the team could play:

• Regular season Round 22,

• Supercup semi-final (February 28),

• eventual final (March 1),

• first playoff match in the Champions League against PGE Projekt Warszawa (March 4).

The European playoff is a two-legged tie, which means the result of the first match is strategically important but not decisive. Still, the workload is real.

Important clarification: The Super Cup is a prestigious, but not a strategic tournament – it does not secure a spot in a European competition. The priority remains the Scudetto and the European campaign.

Match by match – Round 22, February 25, 9:30 PM

The leader against the last-place team. Perugia's ranking will not change. A controlled victory is expected, likely with management of the starters' playing time given the Super Cup semi-final against Trento. However, club president and owner Dino Sirci is known for his ambition to pursue every possible trophy, so he would hardly accept a formal approach to any tournament. At the same time, the absence of middle blocker Agustin Loser after surgery limits options in the middle of the net, although Perugia's deep bench remains a serious compensating factor.

Trento – Cisterna

Key match for home advantage.

• A 3-point victory guarantees at least fourth place.

• A loss or a win in five sets opens the door for displacement.

For Trento, the ideal scenario is a quick match without a tie-break. A five-set clash would increase the physical strain before the series of eliminations.

Cisterna is battling Cuneo for 10th place, which means they will not be a mere formality.

Modena – Verona

Modena is playing for position. Verona is firmly in second place and also has a Super Cup semi-final.

Possible scenario: partial rotation for Verona. If Modena takes 3 points and Trento loses points – a climb to third place.

Padova – Piacenza

Piacenza is in a waiting position. A 3-point victory and a mistake by competitors could move them up to third position.

Padova has no chance for the Top 8, but can influence the standings.

Civitanova – Monza

Lube is firmly in sixth place, Monza – firmly in eighth. There are no stakes in the standings here. For Civitanova, this is a match to maintain rhythm before the Super Cup semi-final.
Fans can follow this match onMAX Sport 2

Milano – Cuneo

Milano is certainly seventh. Cuneo is fighting for 10th place. The only real stakes are at the bottom of the table.

Note: The remaining matches will be broadcast on VBTV.

The question of the start of the playoffs

The initial schedule, published at the beginning of the season, foresaw the playoffs starting on March 1. After the Supercup was moved to February 28 and March 1, this date seems practically impossible.

Currently, there is no officially confirmed updated schedule. It is logical for the playoffs to start after the Supercup weekend, but exact dates have not been announced.

This creates additional uncertainty in managing the format, especially for teams with European commitments.

The big picture

The 22nd round will not change the playoff participants. But it will determine:

• who will have home court advantage,

• who will face Lube,

• what the quarter-final bracket will look like.

The definite elements at the moment are clear:

• Perugia will be #1 and will face Monza (#8).

• Verona will be #2 and will play against Milano (#7).

• Civitanova is definitively #6 and awaits the third-placed team.

• Monza and Milano cannot change their positions.

Only the 3–4–5 zone remains open:

• The third-placed team will play against Lube (6).

• The fourth-placed team will face the fifth-placed team.

• The first four have home advantage.

For Modena and Piacenza, the task is clear – maximum focus on the standings and an attempt to stay at least in the Top 4.

For Perugia and Verona – control over the rhythm and preparation for the elimination period.

For Civitanova – strategic waiting and analysis of the potential opponent.

For Trento – the most complex managerial balance: title defense, European playoff, and a condensed schedule within ten days.

This is where the final intrigue of the regular season lies – not who will make the playoffs, but who will enter them under the most favorable conditions.

Conclusion

The final round of the regular season is not dramatic like a battle for survival or entry into the Top 8. It's more complex – strategic.

The difference between third and fifth place is not just a number in the standings. It determines home advantage, the opponent, and the psychological context of the quarterfinals.

And in Trento's case – it can determine whether the champion will enter the most important part of the season with control over the situation or in a constant catch-up mode.

The SuperLega once again proves that even when everything seems settled, the details decide the season.