Virtus Shengelia and fans: the recipe to get back on their feet

Clinging to the hope (to have Shengelia back) and to the push of an audience – sold out this evening at Segafredo Arena – who continued to sing and jump the other night, even though Olympiacos was feasting on Virtus.

The time has come for the mother of all matches: at 18,15pm, at the Fiera (ten thousand people expected) the Virtus by Dusko Ivanovic find theOlimpia Milano by Ettore Messina. Virtus won at the Forum, in the championship, but lost the Super Cup final and also the quarter-final of the Italian Cup. Without forgetting that, for three years, the championship final speaks only Milanese, after the black and white blitz of 2021.

Clinging to Toko, it was said. Polonara, who has a knee problem, will not be there. The Georgian instead was the victim of an attack of flu. A decision will be made only at the last moment, but it is clear that the weight of Shengelia is remarkable. As is his pride. It is easy that, even if covered, Toko is in his place, to try to put Milan in difficulty.

On paper it is a match (fifth seasonal confrontation) that is worth only two points. In reality for Virtus it is worth much, much more. Because by winning the Black V it would also take a 2-0 lead in direct clashes. Because the last two challenges must be erased. Which, if they have not changed the mood of the square - the chants prevail over the few whistles - must still push the team to react.

To prove something. Not the softness seen in Turin, from the second quarter onwards or Friday, in the first twenty minutes with Olympiacos.

And Ivanovic will see the starting five again. It's true that in basketball starting doesn't count for much, because after a handful of seconds you can replace everyone, but the approach...

And if against Olympiacos, after five minutes, the iron sergeant changed the entire quintet, something was wrong. With the associated responsibility of those who left leaving Cordinier (indispensable) and Pajola on the bench, increasingly a leader and leader of the people.

Nothing to do for Clyburn. We expect signs of life from Zizic (Diouf is more reactive although less experienced) and from Justin Holiday. With Olympiacos, after a couple of initial mockeries - the ball went around and then was 'spat out' by the rim - only crosses arrived.

Virtus needs long-range shots. But the shots must become baskets.

After Ivanovic's words, it's Nenad Jakovljević's turn against Olympiacos. After all, at the Forum, in the last blitz, he was on the bench, even though he was waiting for Ivanovic's registration.

"We have a challenge ahead of us against a team we know. We are aware of their strength but we want to focus on ourselves, emphasizing our individual and team strengths. It will be necessary for everyone to take responsibility to win the match-ups, trying to stop their qualities, playing together and focusing on team defense."