Lagonegro facing Modica

“The beauty of sport is that it immediately presents the possibility of getting back up, and that’s what we will try to do”. The words in chorus from coach Pino Lorizio and spiker Samuel Dietre are the most adequate and timely summary to present tomorrow afternoon’s match of Rinascita Lagonegro – 1st day of the return round – against Avimecc Modica. The red and white team – which lost the Boxing Day match against Casarano – did not obtain the pass valid for the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup to the detriment of Fano and Palmi (same points, 22, but with one more victory) and therefore in a few days he had to get over the disappointment and approach the match against the Sicilians with maximum concentration. The game is still played within friendly walls, at the Palasport of Villa D’Agri, and the pitch factor can certainly be a decisive aspect: the home crowd has never lacked its support and tomorrow another full house is expected. Lorizio will necessarily have to do without setter Lorenzo Piazza (out due to injury since last November 19th) and check the general conditions of the group, dealing with some natural flu ailments of the season. It will be essential to first rediscover those fundamental certainties that were lacking both against Palmi and, above all, in the tie-break battle with Casarano. The coach will rely as usual on the precious offensive skills of Vaskelis (essential with his current 265 points on the scoresheet, best scorer in the championship) and hopes for the growth of the percentages of Armenante and Fioretti, as well as of captain Miscione and Molinari in the centre. On the other hand, Modica will appear in Basilicata with the same desire for revenge, having suffered two consecutive knockouts (Macerata away and Palmi at home) at the end of the group. The team coached by Enzo Di Stefano has collected 17 points so far, the result of six victories and as many defeats: among the latter, also the first leg match against Rinascita played on its debut on 15 October, and ended 1-3.