He has a tear in his external meniscus. Not exactly a minor problem. Yet he plays. He doesn’t jump, but plays. Can he do it? Yes, but only by rewinding the tape with a past that brings him back to wearing the libero shirt of Belluno Volley: to act on the second line, to receive and defend. And so Gonzalo Martinez took back the stage: he dribbled through bad luck and, with courage and a spirit of sacrifice, was available again in the away match in Piedmont, facing a Negrini Cte Acqui Terme defeated in three sets, also thanks to a splendid test of “Gonzo”.
EXAMS AND PLAYOFFS – «The reality is that I feel very good, on and off the field – says the youngest of the Martinez brothers -. If on the one hand I am about to take my final university exams, on the other I have a great desire to start the playoffs.” The first physical problems had emerged some time ago: «I felt some discomfort, but I thought it was normal for an athlete who trains at high intensity every day. Now, however, my knee is better: if I don’t jump, I don’t feel any pain. I hope that everything goes well in the final part of this season.”
PRESSURE – The last time the twenty-one year old with the number 10 printed on his back played as a libero dates back almost a year ago: that is, on 2 April 2023, the final day of the last Serie A3 Credem Banca tournament. «I won’t deny that I would have liked to continue my career as a striker, but I’m very happy to be available. Making a contribution to the team was what I was most interested in.” The recent 3-0 in Acqui Terme allowed the Belluno team to regain third place in the standings: «In the province of Alessandria we played an excellent match in every fundamental way. In particular, we reduced the number of errors and managed to keep the ball exchange constant, as well as putting pressure on our opponents.”
DERBY – Now – Sunday 24th, Spes Arena, at 6pm – the epilogue of the regular season will coincide with the Venetian derby against Motta di Livenza: the rhinos, currently third, have one point more than Senini. In short, the table is set for a grand finale: «It will be a very difficult match – concludes Martinez – against a sextet who gave their best in a second round in which they lost only two matches. We will have to interpret the commitment with unscrupulousness, without fear and with the right awareness of our means. Plus, we can count on the best crowd in the championship.”
