Gianlorenzo Blengini's journey at the helm of the Bulgarian national team was one of the topics in the ninth episode of "After Hours – Superleague at Night", the talk show broadcast live on Sunday evening on the Facebook page and YouTube channel of the Volleyball League Serie A, with the participation of Andrea Zorzi, Andrea Brogioni, and the main protagonists from Serie A Credem Banca.
Gianlorenzo Blengini (Coach of the Bulgarian national team)
IMPRESSIONS FROM BULGARIA - I believe the main thing is maximizing potential, which means trying to get the best out of what we have. And trying to do it as effectively as possible. In sports, it's right to set goals, but the most important thing is to start where you are and finish better. GANEV - He is a personality with an impressive presence from all points of view, it's pleasant and fun to spend time with him. I knew him as a spectator when he played in Cuneo, and now at an international level for several years he has been active in both CEV and FIVB. With Bulgaria, we shared one European Championship in 2015 and one World Championship in 2018. At the presentation of the World Championship, Ganev got out of a taxi and someone said: "One hundred and forty kilograms of man," and he replied: "One hundred and eighty! At one hundred and forty, I was still attacking from the second line."
REGRETS FROM THE ITALIAN PERIOD - The Olympic final? Those are those matches that always leave a bitter taste. In my opinion, it's unfair to look at it as a regret. Of course, these are opportunities that you don't know if they will repeat in your life and it's a privilege to have had them. You'd want to play it again, that's for sure. Otherwise, in general, I don't like to look back. Some specific decisions are part of the baggage you'll carry with you.
THE COURAGE TO TRY - I strongly urge younger coaches to have the courage to try: sometimes we don't try to propose things just because we are afraid they might negatively affect others' opinions. Then over the years, you realize that some decisions could have been made earlier. All this increases experience. I continue to gradually ask myself questions and propose new things and, whether they work or not, we should not stop if these proposals are motivated by thought or sharing.
BULGARIA TODAY - It is usually identified with great physical talent, unaccompanied by an effective system of play. But national teams belong to moments where certain players are present, and others are missing. I remember that in Italy there were no receivers, now diagonals are desperately sought, and this is true at an international level as well. Some compensate with naturalizations, others less so. Today in Bulgaria there are interesting players; a mix of things is needed to make them first-class players, not just training a lot and well. Among these things is the opportunity to play in a league that tests them and makes them grow in terms of consistency, technical demands, and pressure. And for this, the Italian league is extremely useful, not only at the highest level of the SuperLeague and not only as a starter.
KAZIYSKI AND NIKOLOV - They were and are players of exceptional quality, and this includes the mental, physical, technical part, experience, character. They were born tall, big, and jumping. But then you have to have the patience to accompany them, each in the most effective way. Of course, also to "scold" them if they are not giving their all. But you just have to find the key to make them give their maximum. Quality is needed, accompanied by dedication, work, and everything else.
PERUGIA, TRENTO, AND THE OTHERS - I agree, there are differences in the rosters, but I agree that between third and eighth place, anything can happen. Even two seasons ago, both at mid-season and at the end, in the last match, positions from third to eighth place were decided, within two points. Then there are some teams that have a better chance of being high in that group, thanks to the depth of the roster. I'm thinking of Lube, yes, but also Verona, which has a very deep roster and Stoychev uses it often, regardless of physical problems. He provides enough rotation for both middle blockers and receivers. Keita is now consistently a diagonal, and what a diagonal... This depth of the roster allows for less struggling in case of a player's injury. MODENA AND PIACENZA - In the group after Trento and Perugia, I think Piacenza is the team that has focused most on the transfer market in terms of budget. It's enough to look at the receivers' department, with three players who could all be starters. It's clear that, as with all mixes between young and older players, there are more physical problems. It's too early for conclusions; the fruits will start to ripen from the Italian Cup onwards. Piacenza has all the qualities to stand out, and I think they have built a team to compete. Then, two go to the final, and if it doesn't happen, it doesn't mean you've done things badly. Modena has formed the team with fewer resources but has built a balanced team with a great setter who tries to make it function best: yesterday the middle blockers together scored 30 points. We cannot connect things to the name of the team, to expectations and history, but also to the possibilities of building a team. STANKOVIC AND PODRASCANIN - They are alike in ambition and the seriousness with which they approach what they do, what we look for as coaches. Their careers speak for themselves.
