Scandicci and Milano clash for second place in the standings

A battle for the second place in the standings will be the highlight of this weekend’s action in the 2023-2024 Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A Tigotà as the seven matches of the third leg of the second round of the regular season are set to take place in Italy from Saturday to Sunday.

All eyes will be at the Palazzo Wanny, in Firenze, where Savino Del Bene Scandicci will host Allianz Vero Volley Milano on Saturday, at 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT), in the most anticipated match of the weekend.

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The two teams are currently separated by just two points as Milano (14 wins, one loss) have 40 points while Scandicci (13 wins, two losses) have amassed 38. Playing at home, Scandicci will need a 3-0 or 3-1 victory to surpass their rivals and continue their chase to league leaders Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano, who have 44 points (15 wins) and play on Sunday, at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), at home, against Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri.

Currently in a 15-match winning streak that includes Italian League and Champions League encounters, Scandicci get to this weekend’s match fresh from a strong victory over Bulgaria’s Maritza Plovdiv in the continental tournament on Wednesday.

The third-best scorer of the Lega Femminile with 269 points, Italian national team opposite Ekaterina Antropova will play a major factor in the match, leading the team’s offensive efforts against Milano.

The visitors are also high in confidence after they defeated Serbia’s Jedinstvo Stara Pazova on the road in the Champions League on Wednesday and extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches as well.

"Scandicci are on an incredible winning streak," Milano's head coach Marco Gaspari reflected. "Like us, they built their roster to compete in every tournament they play and they have big goals. Our goal going to Firenze is to continue in second place and get a little big of an edge over one of our main competitors. Winning this match would give us a nice advantage entering the key period of the season."

Milano, who topped Scandicci in the tie-breaker in the first round of the season, back in October, count on the Italian League’s top scorer, star opposite Paola Egonu, who scored 20 points last weekend against Itas Trentino and elevated her season total to 321.

Besides having triumphed in the last encounter between the teams, Milano have also been vastly successful against Scandicci as of late, taking the win in the last three duels and seven of the last ten matches. This weekend's match will also have a special meaning for both sides as the series between them is currently tied, with 12 wins apiece.

Other matches

Another match will be held on Saturday, with Trentino and Trasportipesanti Casalmaggiore meeting at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT).

Lega Femminile - Match Schedule and Results

The remaining four duels will all take place on Sunday, with three of them beginning at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT) – Volley Bergamo 1991 vs. Il Bisonte Firenze, Megabox Ondulati Savio Vallefoglia vs. Honda Olivero S. Bernardo Cuneo and Igor Gorgonzola Novara vs. Wash4Green Pinerolo. The calendar will be completed at 19:30 local time (18:30 GMT), when Uyba Volley Busto Arsizio host Aeroitalia Roma Volley.

Quick links:
Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A1 Tigotà
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