After the long trip to Sicily and a handful of days from the final four of the Italian Cup, Smartsystem Fano takes to the field again to face league leaders Banca Macerata in the derby.
An important match full of meaning not only for the ranking but also because a derby… is always a derby and the value of the opponent (Macerata, first in the standings with only 4 defeats to its credit) gives the evening (8.30 pm Palas Allende ) a special flavor: “A match to understand where we are at – says the Bulgarian Hristyian Dimitrov, 26 points in Modica with 7 aces and 51% in attack – we play at home where we have always done well but they are at the top of the table and the match will be complicated.”
Former coach Maurizio Castellano, first in the standings with Macerata, therefore returns to Palas Allende where he will find a warm and charged environment. The Macerata team has an expert and solid team, as well as being used to playing certain matches: the left-handed Zornetta and the Venetian Lazzaretto are certainly not discovered today, but also the diagonal setter-opposite player (Marsili-Casaro) guarantees effectiveness in the offensive phase. Banca Macerata lost some matches, particularly away from home (Palmi, San Giustino and Lecce) but on several occasions it proved to impose itself in an authoritative manner.
Finally, the pair of central defenders Fall-Orazi should not be underestimated with Sanfilippo ready to lend support while in the second line there is all the experience of Gabbanelli.
The first leg ended 3-0 for the Macerata team but at Palas Allende the music will be different with Smartsystem aiming to find the best position in the play off key: “Challenging week – says captain Raffa – but the away victory in Modica has given us given great charge.”
