Virtus in reserve. Ivanovic without the big names. But he has found Zizic again

Virtus moves to the center to return to the top. Yes, in the gym, at Porelli, finally, the 210 centimeters of Ante Zizic. With Alessandro Pajola, Nicola Akele and Momo Diouf in the Italian national team, Isaia Cordinier with France, Andrejs Grazulis with Latvia and Toko Shengelia with Georgia, at the Porelli gym under the orders of coach Dusko Ivanovic and his collaborators in fact found themselves in 8, including and this is the good news for the black and whites, Zizic also returned to work in the group.

Last appearance in Euroleague of the Croatian center dates back to the confrontation with Asvel where he collected just 2 points in 10' of use last December 27th. To tell the truth, he had been reported, moreover without playing, in the January challenge Kaunas with Zalgiris. The last appearance in the championship dates back to December 29th with Scafati where in 12 minutes he scored 8 points with 6 rebounds.

Two months after his last appearance, coach Ivanovic should have his Croatian center available again on February 28 against Olympiacos Piraeus, thus being able to alternate Diouf with another long player of the same role. During this period, the coach had been forced to try different solutions, deploying Shengelia at times and Grazulis often as a tactical 5, but obviously paying the price against opponents of greater physical size.

Now with Zizic back, Ivanovic has another option under the basket, allowing him to vary his options depending on the opponent and the moment of the game. The first responses have been positive, but it will take some time to see him back in good physical condition.

The long break for the national teams will also serve to better introduce game plans, but also from a physical point of view Justin Holiday. After two appearances without impact in the Euroleague with Partizan and Paris, the American winger had been important in the victory in Tortona and then lost his way, like almost all of Virtus, in the confrontation with Milan in the Italian Cup.

Now, even with a reduced lineup, the opportunity to try to make himself useful and demonstrate that he can be a valid addition comes, while waiting to understand what his future will be and to see Will Clyburn again. Also in yesterday's training session, Matt Morgan was regularly available, having recovered from the flu.