Massaccesi on the success in Milan: "Lube was the strongest"

Welcome back Lube! The absence of the red and whites from the elite of Italian volleyball, from the four teams that will compete for the 80th A1 championship, lasted only one season. The return is even more beautiful because the goal was achieved with a team that had been rejuvenated in the key roles in the summer, entrusting the crucial direction to a twenty-year-old. After winning the Italian Cup, another star in Medei's uniform. On Wednesday in Milan, his Lube finally had the chance to play a game to close out a playoff series with an advantage in the duel (it hadn't happened since 2022) and didn't give the Allianz any discounts. With the 3-1 Civitanova completed a great comeback because they had inaugurated the post season by falling 1-3 in game 1 and could have felt the backlash, especially considering the fact that up until that point they had always won at the Eurosuole Forum. At the Allianz Cloud on Wednesday there was also vice president Albino Massaccesi and the historic manager of the club tells us about his satisfaction. "We were able to replicate the blitz of race 2, the team showed that it was stronger, more compact and had the right awareness."

Two away wins while there were difficulties in the regular season, what in particular did you like about Lube in the playoffs?

"We eliminated the most difficult team in the quarterfinals, certainly the one that could have put us in difficulty as happened in previous seasons and I also think that Milan hoped to find us. I was struck by the splendid reaction they had after the stop in game 1".

You have experienced many semi-final qualifications, but how much is this one worth with such a young group?

"This is truly a very important result."

And Lube will certainly play European matches, knowing them we imagine they ardently desire the Champions League...

"Playing the Champions League makes sense while the other two cups make little or no sense. You basically play everything in two games and we have also seen how the Challenge has significant physical and economic costs".

Boninfante, MVP in game 4, deserves a special mention, it's incredible how he doesn't seem to feel the tension.

"True, for his age he's doing very well, you never see him anxious or in trouble. Other young players have also shown maturity."

For example?

"Bottolo has been playing at a very high level and without fear for months. In the last few games Nikolov has recovered his rhythm".

Now the rival is called Perugia. On the road to Lube, the Italian champions and big favorites for the championship. After so many finals, another clash that will fuel the heated rivalry, but never like this time does Lube appear to be the underdog?

"I admit that we will challenge the number 1 candidate for the tricolor. We do not feel inferior, in the championship we lost 3-2 there and won 3-1 in Civitanova. Let's see what happens".