We’re about to live three thrilling league rounds in just eight days. Round six will kick off this Friday night with Modena versus Vibo Valentia. The Italian champions against a newly promoted side, who gave some serious competition to Perugia last week.
Modena is right behind Civitanova at the top of the table and could move ahead for a few hours. They’re coming off a three-set win in Latina, while the only negative note so far for Piazza’s men was the derby in which the players started off a bit soft and had to come back from two sets down. Luca Vettori will be looking for ace number 200.
Vibo Valentia is back in the SuperLega after two years in the lower division but considering how dominating are the italian champs right now, one could think the game will not last very long. However, Vibo has already proved in its marathons against Milan and Perugia that each game has to be played and won, and that things cannot be taken for granted. In the fifth round, Vibo went very close to defeat the Block Devils, who found a superb reaction and an Ivan Zaytsev at 25 points to get out of trouble.
Azimut Modena – Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia
PAST ENCOUNTERS: 18 (13-5 Modena)
Roberto Piazza (coach Azimut Modena): “This will be another one fo these games in which our opponent will have very little to lose. Vibo is a tough team who won in Milan and made it very hard for Perugia in its last home game. We’ll need maximum focus like in every SuperLega game. In recent weeks, we had to combine some intense work-outs in the gym with many games in just a few days, so the boys will need to do a good job of giving 100% on court in spite of not being at their best, though they are physically getting better. The fact the game will be played at 6.45pm does not change anything, Modena is Modena, I expect a big crowd, I invite everyone to come and support us like always but I am sure they will do ».
Peter Michalovic (Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia): “We have to build on the positive things done against Perugia, but trying to step up another level in order to be competitive against Modena. Last Sunday at home we managed to play at a high level, pushed by our exceptional fans, but now in Modena, the atmosphere will be totally different. We have to play to the maximum of our potential to get anything out of those games against the top teams ».
