It is a Rana Verona with a character that extends the positive streak at the start of the season with the fourth consecutive success. The one to pay the price was Allianz Milano, who took the lead but was then overturned by Coach Stoytchev’s team, who slowly gained rhythm and snatched a full result that sent them to 11 points in the standings. For the fourth consecutive match, Keita played the leading role and was named MVP thanks to a performance of 31 points (3 aces). It is worth highlighting the performance of Cortesia, who scored on 9 occasions with 3 blocks, and the impact of Sani on the match (9 stamps for him too), but once again it was the group that made the difference, lucid in various moments. In six days, the Scaligeri will return to the home taraflex for the challenge in Modena.
In the starting lineup, Coach Stoytchev relies on Abaev as director, with Jensen opposite and the Dzavoronok-Keita pair on the wing. Cortesia and Vitelli are confirmed at the center of the net, while D’Amico is the libero.
A double ace by Porro opens the game, followed by Keita’s hand-out. Thanks to a choral block from position four, the guests remain behind, with Keita’s pipe worth the draw (4-4). The Malian enters in series from nine meters and stamps the ace for +2 (4-6). Dzavoronok places his hands well under the net and blocks Reggers for the triple advantage of Verona (6-9). Milan responds with the same weapon, but Keita wedges the ball between the opponents’ hands and the net, before threading the long line (9-12). The Lombards close the gap, sign the draw, and then two blocks in a row turn the situation around (17-14). The intensity rises with a long exchange: super defense by Mozic, the teams play again and Cortesia prints the monster block of 18-16. Milan, however, puts the turbo on thanks to the streak in service by Kaziyski, who closes the set with an ace (25-17).
The second touch by Porro at the start of the second half, with the white and blue team extending the lead with Louati’s cross (4-0). Keita tries to shake his team with a narrow diagonal (7-2). In precarious balance Dzavoronok finds the right gap after a spectacular save by D’Amico, Keita follows with an ace and Verona rises again (9-6). The number 9 drags his team and again knocks down the opposing rearguard from nine meters for the 9-9. The Scaligeri put their face forward and with another shot by Dzavoronok they go to 11-13. The Czech finds the intersection of the lines and maintains the two-point advantage (13-15). After Porro’s ace, Vitelli also hits hard in service and sends the guests to 16-18. Schnitzer blocks the road to Keita and Kaziyski to Cortesia: Milan overtakes (21-20). Service and rematches on the court: Dzavoronok stamps the 23-23, Vitelli gives the set point to his team, the locals cancel it, but Keita takes care of tying the games (24-26).
Upon returning to the court, Verona starts well and with Vitelli’s first time they take the lead 1-3. Stoytchev’s team is confident: Cortesia prints a great wall on the ground, which anticipates Keita’s winning attack (4-8). Sani covers well at the back of the court and Dzavoronok scores in the three meters for 5-10. Spirito distributes with precision, with Sani hitting with the pipe that increases the guests’ advantage (7-13). Allianz tries to get back on track with Reggers’ ace, but Sani immediately finds the change of ball (11-15). Spirito’s wall, which rewards Keita behind him and the ball falls to the ground for 15-19. Milan comes back with Reggers, but Dzavoronok pushes to serve and sends Verona back to +4 (18-22). Caneschi’s wall sews it up, but Keita finds the set ball, before Louati’s error gives the overtaking to the guests (22-25).
Louati opens the dance in the third set and launches the Milanese towards a large advantage. The award-winning hammer duo Keita-Dzavoronok gives new vigor to the Venetian team, which finds the equalizer (4-4). A prolonged rally allows Keita to block Reggers, giving his team a lead of 5-6. Spirito serves to both Keita and Sani frequently, and they respond effectively. Cortesia also scores from position three, making it 9-11. As the game progresses, both teams remain balanced, but Sani attempts to shift the momentum with a block against Kaziyski, bringing the score to 14-15. Verona seeks to extend their lead with additional powerful shots from Keita, increasing the score to 18-16.
Louati evens the score by successfully stopping Keita; however, Keita manages to score again, breaking through the opponent’s defense, making the score 21-22. A mistake by Reggers during his serve gives the match point to the Scaligeri, but the home team turns the tide and takes the lead, reaching a score of 24-25.
At deuce, there is a continuous back-and-forth, but only Keita can seal the victory with the final point, ending the match at 28-30.
SCORESHEET
Allianz Milano-Rana Verona 1–3 (25-17; 24-26; 22-25; 28-30)
Allianz Milano: Porro 4, Reggers 18, Kaziyski 13, Louati 15, Schnitzer 9, Caneschi 5, Catania (L), Zonta, Barotto 1, Gardini, Otsuka, Piano, Larizza, Staforini (L). Coach Piazza
Rana Verona: Abaev, Jensen 2, Keita 31, Dzavoronok 15, Cortesia 9, Vitelli 4, D’Amico (L), Spirito, Sani 9, Mozic, Chevalier, Zingel, Zanotti, Bonisoli (L). Coach Stoytchev
Referees: Boris (1st), Rossi (2nd), Pernpruner (3rd)
Videocheck Officer: Fumagalli
Set duration: 28’; 34’; 33’; 45’; total: 2h20’
Attack: Allianz Milano 39%; Rana Verona 50%
Reception: Allianz Milano 45%; Rana Verona 28%
Blocks: Allianz Milano 14; Rana Verona 8
Aces: Allianz Milano 8; Rana Verona 6
Spectators: 1886
MVP: Noumory Keita
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