Third match at Palaverde on Monday 17 May, then we’ll see “Milan remains the favorite but Virtus is also at the top”
treviso
In addition to the dates, the first opponent in the Serie A playoffs in the history of Treviso Basket is now known.
Treviso will play the first two games against Djordjevic’s Virtus Bologna on Thursday and Friday at the Segafredo Arena. A commitment that is not easy at all, it must be admitted: but at this point there is nothing easy.
The “back to back” away match will start on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th, the competition will be at Palaverde on Monday 17th, then we’ll see.
De ‘Longhi, whose last match was played on 25 April in Mestre against Reyer’s “cousins”, is experiencing the last days of her long break to refine the preparation and present herself as a loose cannon, the one hoped for coach Menetti . The three consecutive losses in the regular season have been reset. Among his players only Imbrò, Lockett and Logan have tasted the Serie A playoffs, all the others, including Nicola Akele, are absolute freshmen.
“I have positive feelings, we are energized and we trained well”, says the former Reyer winger, “the rest made us recharge our batteries, we can’t wait to start, to finally get serious”.
Will it be a TvB different from the one at the end of the regular season?
“I really think so. We played those games against high-level opponents and in any case now we want to make up for it. It will be like starting all over again, the stakes are very high, we can no longer afford to play that way. And I am confident that we will succeed ».
And the injured, that is Imbrò, Sokolowski and Mekowulu?
«They are fine, everything is ok, they are training with the group and the preparation is proceeding quickly».
You will leave at a disadvantage: is it a win-win situation for you?
«Maybe yes, we will try to take advantage of it as much as possible by playing lightly, in the sense of not having the pressure on us that our opponents will have. In any case, we know that we will have to win three games, on the pitch there is and there is no pressure ».
In the playoffs, if you don’t defend well, you don’t get far.
“Absolutely. And the defense this year was honestly not among our strengths, too fluctuating. But I am also convinced that now that the stakes are up, we will all be giving something more. De ‘Longhi has grown up during the season and the playoffs are the best stage to show what a team we are ».
Will the performance of any particular player or the whole team be key?
«I bet on the team. If we have all reached the playoffs, perhaps at different times, they have provided their contribution so if we want to go forward, it will not be enough for someone to play well, we will all have to do it together. We will really need everyone to give something more, even those who play less, basketball is a team game and now everything is reset ».
For coach Menetti the favorite is Virtus, for you?
«I say Milan, then Bologna. I say Milan for the solidity it has shown, apart from a little perhaps in the final, throughout the season. Of course, the Final Four can absorb energies above all on a mental level but still they remain the strongest ». –