Virtus needs a crescendo finale in Euroleague. Next season must also be secured

It takes away energy. But it gives satisfaction and visibility. It is not a riddle, but not an impossible definition of the Settimana Enigmistica either. In the shadow of the Two Towers, everyone has already understood, because here they eat bread (better, tortellini) and baskets.

It takes away energy, but it gives a lot: it can only be the Euroleague, a championship of which the Virtus was, at the dawn of this millennium, one of the founding companies. A championship that Virtus won in 2001 (the season of the Grand Slam), reached the final a year later (final four at PalaMalaguti in Casalecchio) and lost, in fact, after 2003, due to the club's expulsion from the Italian championship.

Leaving aside the food and wine tour of 2007/2008, Virtus has returned to the Euroleague, with a certain continuity, for three seasons. After winning the EuroCup. Now the results of this season could lead to an exit from the tournament for the near future. But Virtus is among the clubs in pole position if there is an expansion to twenty teams and, in any case, two Italian clubs (not only Olimpia Milano) would be useful to the Euroleague itself.

This is why Virtus, which is now cut off from everything in the Euroleague, must close the season in the best possible way. To give a signal of attachment to the tournament. To demonstrate that it has a team that, with some adjustments, could still have its say.

The Euroleague has higher costs, not only in terms of energy expenditure, but also in terms of salaries, but it also serves to attract new champions. It is hard to play the Euroleague. But ask any athlete, not only from Virtus, if they prefer to play a match in the national championship or in the Euroleague.

Even the NBA, after all, is attracted by this competition. Which is perhaps exaggerating in using replays (not just the call-in ones), exasperatingly prolonging the duration of the games, but it is still the best showcase.

This is why Virtus and Dusko Ivanovic they want to close the season in the best possible way. To send a signal, while waiting, perhaps, for the new Arena - which responds in all respects to the parameters set by the Euroleague - to see the light.

Focus on the championship, because it remains the only achievable goal for captain Belinelli and his teammates. But no slowdown on the European path. Which, compared to last year, cannot lead to the playoffs or the play-in, but it still remains an investment in the future.

This is why Virtus' race remains twofold. Waiting to recover the two long-term patients full time. Ante Zizic, whose return is scheduled for next week, at the Segafredo Arena, against league leaders Olympiacos (an early surrender is prohibited, following the initial reasoning).

For Will Clyburn, however, we will have to wait until the beginning of April. When, always in the Euroleague, Virtus will cross paths with Milan. Naturally at the Fair.