Milan, missed shot. Lube at match point

THEAllianz Milan returns from the away match in Marche against Lube kitchens Civitanova, in game 3 of the quarter-finals of the championship playoffs, with zero points. The home team wins 3-11 and takes the series lead 2-1. Now game 4, scheduled for Wednesday in Milan, could be decisive both for the Lombardy team to extend the series, and for the Marche team who would access the semifinals. Compared to game 2, however, we saw a different Allianz team that, as has happened throughout the season, lacked something more in terms of character, but also in terms of ideas and game solutions. Coach Piazza, despite the last few times, changes and inserts the Japanese Otsuka, who is improving in this part of the championship, into the starting six in place of Kaziyski. Milan starts by putting their hands on the wall, but finds themselves forced to chase and then catch up with their opponents halfway through the first set. The visiting team approaches the match in a very different way than a week ago: they are less surrendering and more careful in defense. After some discussions following a video check, Lube had a set ball and didn't waste it, taking the lead to 1-0.

The guests have to react but find themselves, as has happened many times in the series, having to chase and always being behind. Coach Piazza's team is good at not falling apart and staying focused, playing point by point, so much so that they catch up with their opponents. Yet, all their efforts are thwarted by the many offensive solutions of the team from Marche, who also win the second set. The Milanese try everything, try to reopen the match and for the first time since the beginning of the challenge lead the score. Lube wakes up from its torpor and, between the usual Bottolo and Nikolov, gets to -1 after having been down by several points. It's not enough: this time, Milan sees the goal close and closes the gap. In the fourth, the Milanese team gets nervous after a red card to Louati and in an instant finds itself chasing. The team from Marche, thus, closes the matter and wins the set and the match.

LUBE KITCHEN CIVITANOVA–ALLIANZ MILANO 3–1 (25-23; 25-22; 21-25; 25-19)