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 of 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 quarterfinals,

• who will face Lube Civitanova,

• and what the path to the semifinals will look like.

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

Standings after Round 21

Table analysis

Perugia (55 pts) is an unassailable leader. This earns them a direct quota for the next edition of the Champions League.
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 – with 43.

Here the stakes are double:

1. The first four teams have home advantage in the quarter-final series.

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

Fifth place means losing home advantage and a more unfavorable position in the eliminations.

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

Trento – the reigning champion

Trento defends the Scudetto. In such a situation, the psychological burden is different – expectations are higher, and every weakness is examined under a microscope.

However, the team 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 outside hitters is limited, and that is precisely where the greatest physical strain is concentrated.

Modena

Modena is in the most comfortable strategic position. They do not participate in the Supercup and have no European playoff at the beginning of March. Their 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) put the team back in contention for third place and definitively deprived Lube of any hopes of climbing.

The "Lube" Factor

Civitanova is firmly in sixth place. 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 as early as 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 Packed Calendar – The Special Case of "Trento"

The situation for Trento is the most complex.

Within ten days, the team could play:

• Round 22 of the regular season,

• a Supercup semi-final (February 28),

• a potential final (March 1),

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

The playoff in Europe is played over two matches, meaning the result of the first leg is strategically important but not decisive. Nevertheless, the pressure is real.

Important clarification: The Supercup is a prestigious, but not a strategic tournament – it does not grant a quota for a European tournament. The priority remains the Scudetto and the European campaign.

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

The leader against the last-placed team. Perugia's ranking will not change. A controlled victory is expected, likely with managing the playing time of the starters given the Supercup semifinal against Trento. However, the club's 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 Agustín Loser after surgery limits options in the middle of the net, although Perugia's deep bench remains a significant compensating factor.

Trento – Cisterna

A key match for home-court advantage.

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

• A loss or a five-set victory 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 fighting with Cuneo for 10th place, which means they will not be a formal opponent.

Modena – Verona

Modena is playing for position. Verona is solidly in second place and also has a Supercup semifinal.

Possible scenario: partial rotation for Verona. If Modena gets 3 points and Trento loses points – climbing 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 place.

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

Civitanova – Monza

Lube is solidly sixth, Monza – solidly eighth. There are no classification stakes here. For Civitanova, this is a match to maintain rhythm before the Supercup semifinal.
Fans can follow this match onMAX Sport 2

Milan – Cuneo

Milan is a sure seventh. Cuneo is fighting for 10th place. The only real stake is in the lower part of the table.

Note: The remaining matches will be broadcast on VBTV.

The question of the start of the playoffs

The original schedule, published at the beginning of the season, foresaw the start of the playoffs on March 1st. After moving the Supercup to February 28th and March 1st, 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 advantage,

• who will face Lube,

• what the quarter-final bracket will look like.

The certain elements at the moment are clear:

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

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

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

• Monza and Milan cannot change their positions.

Only the 3–4–5 zone remains open:

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

• The fourth will meet the fifth.

• The top four have home-court advantage.

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

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: defending the title, European playoff, and a condensed schedule within ten days.

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

Conclusion

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

The difference between third and fifth place is not just a number in the table. 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 Superleague once again proves that even when everything seems settled, details decide the season.

photo: legavolley.it