The trip to Sarroch is getting closer and closer for ErmGroup Altotevere, who will depart for Sardinia on Friday morning for the first leg of the Serie A3 Credem Banca playoff quarterfinals. The atmosphere in the white-and-blues was extremely calm after a qualifying campaign that has instilled further confidence in the team, ready to face a Sarlux team capable of causing problems for anyone: just remember the two regular season victories against Belluno and the 2-3 defeat in Reggio Emilia. “We know Sarroch by now,” says coach Marco Bartolini, “so the important thing now is to regain our mental energy: there are some things to fix, but the boys can do it independently within their technical background. We can’t push training any further: there’s no point in putting in a lot of work; we need to try to preserve ourselves and have the right energy to get on the pitch.” Bartolini has no doubts about the solid technical caliber of their next opponent: “Sarroch was one of the best teams in the second half of the season in terms of performance. They paid the price for a poor start and for problems with some players, who later left, leaving them sidelined in key roles. However, they have a superb coach, Francesco Denora Caporusso, whom I respect greatly. All in all, there’s everything we need to see great volleyball, full of spectacle and fun. We’ll take to the court as if Game 1 were decisive, although having the second leg at home is helpful, knowing that the match will be decided in San Giustino anyway. For now, however, Game 1 is all we can possibly expect.”
