A still growing audience, despite a difficult place like Milan, a play-off to face against Cucine Lube Civitanova, a historically difficult opponent, but beaten once this year, at home. For the general director of Allianz Milano, Fabio Lini, it is time for final balance sheets on the regular season and cups and estimates, with the awaited direct elimination queue of the SuperLega Credem Banca.
Shall we start with the 4,600 spectators at the Allianz Cloud for the match against Modena and the retirement of Matteo Piano’s shirt?
“On the pitch, as in the organization of events, results never arrive by chance. I believe the public’s response was the result of an exceptional work of promoting the match from the popular point of view and the moment dedicated to our great captain Matteo Piano. Even against Padova we exceeded 3 thousand spectators, surpassing the numbers of the already excellent last season. I believe we have moved the Milanese public, historically with a refined palate, a little wary and not easy to involve. A result that has even more value if we consider the competition from high-level sports in the area. We worked to have a warm but also competent audience, from kids to grandparents. Without ever selling off the tickets for the sub-network show with promotions useful only to fill the building.”
The regular season ended in sixth place, the same position as last season, with the same number of victories (12), but two points less, 36 instead of 38.
“Yes, it’s a result quite in line with both last season and what we demonstrated on the pitch. There is some regret for a few points lost here and there, which would have allowed us to play the playoffs with Game 1 at home. I believe that this year’s SuperLega has featured two teams like Perugia and Trento who are immediately candidates for the direct final and a second bracket, from 3rd to 6th place in which everyone can beat everyone else.”
Did you expect something more from the Cups (Italy and Champions League)?
“The first two objectives are nuanced for details. I think of the 3-2 in Civitanova for the quarter-final of the Italian Cup and that golden set against Ankara, a solid and reinforced team with a champion like Leal. Leaving competitions for a couple of balls doesn’t please anyone. We still have the third objective and I am convinced that we will go to the Marche region with 100% energy to spend, hoping that the series will bring us more than a smile.”
