Ivanovic's Virtus has a double objective. Confirm itself at the top and test Holiday

Virtus has left for Sassari where at 18,15pm (live on Dmax) he will face the Dynamo and in the meantime Justin Holiday has arrived in Bologna. This is how yesterday unfolded, with the Bianconeri going to Sardinia looking for a victory that will confirm their presence in the group of those at the top, while at Arcoveggio the winger will have ten days to convince that he can be the replacement for Will Clyburn. If at the end of this trial period the famous former NBA player, who won a ring with Golden State in 2015, will be able to convince Dusko Ivanovich then a three-month contract will be signed which will therefore expire right before the playoffs for the Scudetto and with the possibility for the club to extend it until June 30th.

The guard's talent is beyond discussion, but the doubts are linked to the fact that he has been out since May, when he and the Denver Nuggets were eliminated by Minnesota in the race for the NBA title, and that in a group where there are many over 30s, an element is added who will turn 36 in April.

If he is signed, the operation at V Nera will cost around 500 thousand euros and this will force the club to adjust the figures of the fractional capital increase that was launched in December and which already envisaged a total outlay of 3 million euros.

The President Massimo Zanetti gave permission to the general manager Paolo Ronci to proceed with the operation, while the minority shareholder's approval was a given Carlo Gherardi who has never questioned the amount to spend to bring Clyburn's replacement under the Two Towers. Soon we will also know if this maneuver will waste more time, the American winger was injured three weeks ago and in any case we will have to wait at least another before knowing if Holiday goes or stays, or if it was actually worth waiting so long given the quality of the basketball player.

The complications that Virtus must face to sign a player have overshadowed today's match in Sassari, a commitment that the Bolognese must face always dealing with the absences of Clyburn and Zizic. On the other hand, Massimo Bulleri, promoted to chief after the dismissal of Nenad Markovic, is looking for his first victory.

"Like all teams that change leadership - explains Ivanovic - they will have a lot of energy, ambition and desire to fight. Sassari has excellent shooters and good guards who can both create play and score: they play fast, with quick actions and they really prefer the transition game. It will be essential to control the pace. Justin Holiday arrived yesterday and in common agreement in the next few days we will work and see together what to do".

Today Alexander Pajola will reach the milestone of 250 appearances in Serie A with Virtus which at PalaSerradimigni will find again Alessandro Cappelletti, who in 2018/19, held the role of twelfth man.

The first leg ended with a score of 95-85, today they referee Lo Guzzo, Dori e Head Torto.