Riccardo Zanolli is not just the team manager of Belluno Volley: he is an integral part of the group, a constant and precious presence even during the week. Always ready to listen and discuss, to provide a word, sometimes advice. In other words, he is one of the leaders of that “shadow team” that acts behind the scenes. And it represents added value for the club chaired by Sandro Da Rold. A club preparing to face game 2 of the playoff quarter-finals: Sunday 21 April (6pm), in Palmi. Where the rhinos have the advantage in the series, by virtue of the 3-1 score against OmiFer in the first act.
IN DETAIL – Zanolli himself contributed to planning the trip to Calabria in detail. Without leaving anything to chance, as is his style: «The team’s harmony represents a fundamental characteristic in facing opponents of Palmi’s caliber. And best interpret the hottest phase of the season.” The team manager doesn’t trust the version of OmiFer staged at the foot of the Dolomites: «Maybe in race 1 they didn’t express themselves at the highest levels, but Palmi is a team of the highest caliber. The second challenge, in Calabria, will be truly complex. And we must interpret it with the same spirit as last Sunday.”
AGGRESSIVITY – Stabrawa and his teammates will push hard from the opening exchanges: «I expect a certain volleyball aggression from them. In our home gym, I think our opponents will tend to force the serve a lot. And a few more jokes, compared to the match at the Spes Arena, could be successful. This is why we will have to try to limit their waves as much as possible.” The Belluno team, however, intend to leverage the certainties acquired in the second half of the season: «We have found a square sextet, capable of offering precise guarantees».
EMOTIONS – Zanolli has lived in contact with the team since his time in Serie C. And the Spes Arena admired in recent outings certainly cannot leave him indifferent: «Our sports hall gives me profound emotions. Playing in that kind of environment is really important for us. And it’s not easy for the opponents: it goes for Palmi, as for any other sextet. Maybe in the long run there is also the risk of getting used to a similar audience setting, in reality the presence of so many people should never be taken for granted.” And the best way to repay all this affection can only be one: continuing to make progress in the playoffs.
