Milano and Savino Del Bene to meet in first Italian League derby

After two weekends of exciting matches, Italian volleyball fans are ready to see things go up a notch as the first derby of the 2023-2024 season of the Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A is set to take place this weekend.

Two of the four teams that went undefeated in their first two regular season matches, Allianz Vero Volley Milano and Savino Del Bene Scandicci will be the first giants in the country to go against each other as they’re ready to meet in the third week of play, facing each other on Sunday, at 17:30 local time (19:30 UTC), in Milano.

• Watch Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A1 matches live on VBTV.

This will be the first encounter between the teams since they featured in an exciting best-of-three semifinal series last season, which saw Milano come from behind to advance with a dramatic five-set victory in the decisive round three in Firenze.

The retrospect between the two teams is impressively balanced, with 12 victories for Savino Del Bene and 11 for Milano. The hosts, however, have been more successful as of late, having won eight of the last ten encounters, including the two most recent ones.

Milano started the season with back-to-back wins, having swept Uyba Busto Arsizio at home and then beating Itas Trentino 3-1 on the road.

The team’s main signing for the season, star opposite Paola Egonu has produced 44 points across both matches and is Milano’s leading scorer so far – and the fifth-best in the league. Middle blockers Sonia Candi and Dana Rettke, who combine for 13 blocks across both matches, have also been in great form for Milano.

Lega Femminile - Match Schedule and Results

Savino Del Bene have a similar record to their opponents so far, having started their campaign with a sweep of Il Bisonte Firenze at home and following it up with a 3-1 road victory over Busto.

Star opposite Ekaterina Antropova has been leading Savino Del Bene’s offense with 46 points and ranks third in the Lega Femminile in scoring. Brazilian Olympic medalist middle blocker Ana Carolina ‘Carol’ da Silva has also had a good start with her new team, getting to double digits in scoring on both matches, with 21 points amassed.

Besides the big duel between Milano and Savino Del Bene, six other matches will be held over the weekend in Italy. The schedule begins on Saturday, with Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri meeting defending champions Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano at 18:00 local time (20:00 UTC) and Honda Olivero S. Bernardo Cuneo hosting Megabox Ondulati Savio Vallefoglia at 20:30 local time (22:30 UTC).

On Sunday, three duels will take place at 17:00 local time (19:00 UTC) – Firenze vs. Volley Bergamo, Wash4Green Pinerolo vs. Igor Gorgonzola Novara and Roma Volley Club vs. Busto – and another one at 20:30 local time (22:30 UTC) – Trasportipesanti Casalmaggiore vs. Trentino.

Quick links:
Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A1
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