The clear 3-0 victory over Leo Shoes Casarano could not have made a better start to the second season of ErmGroup San Giustino in the Serie A3 Credem Banca championship and the first in the Blue group. The team also responded in the best way in terms of continuity, maintaining practically always in control of the situation and then taking the lead in the key phases of each set. Great enthusiasm, therefore, but also the awareness of the fact that next Sunday in Marsicovetere, against Rinascita Lagonegro, could be very tough and that therefore there is always a lot of work to do. But the path taken is undoubtedly the right one, as confirmed by the second Biancazzurri coach, Mirko Monaldi: “I saw a compact and concentrated group on the pitch, which we are still building to be able to play according to our potential. Unity and empathy are the basic components. For eight long weeks we had been preparing for the debut race, going through various tests in which we tried to find harmony and rhythm. We had made specific requests to the boys, knowing better a category that does not allow relaxation – continues Monaldi – and which also suggests you take risks to put pressure on your opponents. In other words, from nine yards you have to try and you absolutely have to if you want to hope to achieve anything. And they responded perfectly, although Casarano’s non-dangerous serve allowed us to receive well and build the best shots for our attackers, who all recorded high averages of achievement. On every fundamental, such as attack, counterattack and reception, our percentage numbers were decidedly higher.” Now, a very indicative continuation of the championship: will the next matches be able to tell what role ErmGroup will be able to play in this championship? “We belong to that group of undoubtedly good teams, but which must find a very specific identity. Much will depend on the result on the pitch at Lagonegro, an away match which on paper is even more complicated than the one after Modica, then Macerata will arrive at the sports hall and we will go to Bari. In short, we would be up against the contenders for the final success and to face them we must play with that looseness and even with that pinch of cheekiness that only positive results are able to generate.” How important was it for you to finally see the public again at the sports hall? “I believe that the presence of over 700 spectators in the stands was the greatest victory: our supporters supported us and paid homage to us at the end. Compared to the last match in April, the impression I had was that the stadium was literally rekindled.”
