With 34 points (12 wins, seven losses) accumulated and a 13-point gap to the first team outside the qualification zone, Vallefoglia are virtually guaranteed in the postseason. Full of confidence due to their excellent run of form, they aim to make a push to finish the regular season inside the league's top four, thereby earning the right to host two of the three matches of their quarterfinal series.
This weekend presents them with a great opportunity to close the gap to the teams ahead of them and seriously get into the mix, as, besides their duel against fourth-placed Chieri, who have 41 points (14 wins, five losses), the seventh leg will also have fifth-placed Igor Gorgonzola Novara, who have 39 (14 wins, five losses) going on the road against reigning world champions and second-placed Savino Del Bene Scandicci, who haven't lost in eight matches.
"This is a key moment in the season, in which we'll be facing all the top teams," head coach Andrea Pistola reflected. "Earning points against these opponents is always a challenge, but I thought we did well against all of them in the first round, except for Scandicci. First, we want to play well, and, if we can get points, even better."
Vallefoglia's winning streak in the Italian League started on November 30th and since then, they have won 11 of their last 12 matches across all competitions, having only dropped a five-setter to world champions Scandicci in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.
