Crisis Anger and doubts for a disheartened Virtus

The anger of the fans, who vent their doubts on social media sponsor. And a team, the Virtus, in free fall. The day after the defeat in Trieste, Virtus looks around and discovers that, next to it, its rivals are running.

They all run and Virtus, which was looking for first place in the regular season to guarantee itself the advantage of the home field advantage, risks finding itself fourth, if not fifth. Everything to be redone and everything to be understood: also because next Monday the recapitalization announced. And the positions of Massimo Zanetti, president with 55 percent of the shares and Carlo Gherardi, minority shareholder with 45.

What future for Virtus? Zanetti has always said and reiterated that he is not eternal (as an owner) and that he is waiting for the construction of the sports hall.

He had taken Virtus in A2, Zanetti, brought it to A at the first attempt. He had promised the championship and the Euroleague, the title arrived, as well as the qualification for the most beautiful competition. After winning the EuroCup.

Now, however, there is a different situation and a team born from a market carried out in a few days, in July. And that had not satisfied Luca Banchi, who resigned at the beginning of December. And now he leads Efes with good results.

And Virtus? Having said that the owner (Zanetti) is already working on high-profile sponsors, there is a team that has lost eight times in Europe. And that is not doing too well in Italy either.

And Dusko Ivanovic is not doing so well either, with some risky choices. Belinelli remained in Trieste to watch his teammates. It is true that the Giuliani run at full speed: but a few more baskets would have been useful.

And if it's true that Belinelli's benching is tied to the need for more athleticism and speed, why give up on Tucker who, up to now, has only been useful by running and jumping?

Leaving out Tucker and Grazulis, after having spoken of a losing mentality, the doubt is that the coach also wanted to send a signal.

But the minutes given to Holiday did not repay him. As did not repay him, in fact, half the team, from Zizic to Cordinier, from Polonara to Hackett.

So what? So we're sailing by sight. Yesterday was a day of rest because this will be a tough week in terms of travel and flights. Wednesday Belgrade again, this time against Milos Teodosic's Red Star in the running for the playoffs, then Friday in Berlin, with the risk of losing again against the Cinderella of the Euroleague.

Reuniting the team in the gym is what basketball manuals teach to overcome crises. But the Virtus crisis seems to have deep roots and, perhaps, just working in the gym (which always pays off) is not enough. We need to bring back to the cause the elements lost in the last outings. Starting with an unrecognizable Isaia Cordinier. Then, it is true that tomorrow Marco Belinelli will turn 39 and his age is making itself felt. But the captain is still capable of scoring important baskets. Better not forget it...