Lube’s Aleksandar Nikolov spikes between Vero Volley’s blockers (source: legavolley.it)

Lube’s Aleksandar Nikolov spikes between Vero Volley’s blockers

Italy braces itself for the most exciting part of the SuperLega Credem Banca season – the playoffs. Starting with the four first-leg matches of the best-of-five quarterfinal series, all scheduled on Wednesday at 20:30 local time (19:30 UTC), the playoff race for the national men’s volleyball title is on, with Itas Trentino Trento against Valsa Group Modena, Sir Susa Vim Perugia against Rana Verona, Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza against Allianz Milan and Cucine Lube Civitanova against Mint Vero Volley Monza in the unpredictable battles for the spots in the semifinals.

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Cucine Lube Civitanova v Mint Vero Volley Monza

In theory, the clash between the fourth and the fifth of the final regular season standings should be the most difficult to call. As the fourth-placed team, Cucine Lube Civitanova (40 points, 15-7 win-loss record) will have the home-court advantage against fifth-placed Mint Vero Volley Monza (39, 13-9) in Wednesday’s first game of the quarterfinal series.

Lube have won 20 of the previous 25 encounters with Vero Volley. However, the team from Monza won two of the three matches with Lube so far this season, producing a shutout in Civitanova in October and a Coppa Italia quarterfinal victory at home in January. In between, Lube got back at Vero Volley with a win upon visiting them in late January.

“Except for Ivan Zaytsev, who is starting to touch the ball again, but will be out for a while, everyone is available. We are aware of our means, but also that between the championship and the Champions League, we will have little time to train. We will have to optimize rest and manage mental resources without looking too far ahead. Monza eliminated us from the Italy Cup and we haven't forgotten that. We want to impose ourselves and get the upper hand in the series against a rival who will give us a hard time.” Gianlorenzo Blengini, head coach of Cucine Lube Civitanova

Monza vs. Civitanova | Highlights | Coppa Italia | Quarterfinals

Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza v Allianz Milan

Third-placed Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza (43, 13-9) will welcome sixth-placed Allianz Milan (38, 12-10) for the first match of their quarterfinal playoff.

The squad from Piacenza defeated their opponents in both SuperLega meetings during the regular season – away in October and at home in January. But just three days before their last encounter, the team from Milan dethroned the 2023 Coppa Italia laureates in another thrilling five-setter in Piacenza, which they won by . It was Allianz’s only fourth win over this opponent, while Gas Sales have won 11 of their 15 head-to-head matches.

“These playoffs are the last big objective we have left. We will give our all from the first match. We face a tough and well-organized team. We know this very well given that they eliminated us from the Italy Cup. In these matches, Milan becomes very tough and difficult to face. We will have to go full force straight away, from the first ball of the first set. Winning game one at home is fundamental in the series.” Yuri Romano, opposite of Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza

Piacenza vs. Milano | Highlights | Superlega | 13a Giornata

Sir Susa Vim Perugia v Rana Verona

While reigning club world champions and holders of the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana trophies Sir Susa Vim Perugia, who finished the SuperLega regular season in second place (51, 16-6), might be considered the favourites in their quarterfinal series with seventh-placed Rana Verona (36, 13-9), coach Radostin Stoytchev’s squad made everyone well aware that they are capable of winning against any team.

In fact, Verona achieved a away victory less than a month ago, when they last met Sir, and that put an end to a 17-game winning streak the club from Perugia had been enjoying in the head-to-head series since 2016. Earlier this season, in November, Sir hammered out a sweep of their away match in Verona. Overall, Sir and Verona have met 37 times in history with the Perugians leading the head-to-head by 30-7.

“We will face one of those matches that everyone likes to play. It's the start of the playoffs and we're excited to start this journey and to try to start off on the right foot. During the playoffs, many things that seem a little easier in the regular season become a little more complicated. Our coach tells us every day that we have to stay connected from the first point to the last point of each match. It is the victories that count and this is what we must and want to achieve.” Wilfredo Leon, outside hitter of Sir Susa Vim Perugia

Perugia vs. Verona | Highlights | Superlega | 18a Giornata

Itas Trentino Trento v Valsa Group Modena

Defending champions and regular season winners Itas Trentino Trento (55, 19-3) are also the undoubted favourites in their quarterfinals series against eighth-placed Valsa Group Modena (27, 11-11), but one can never rest assured against the likes of Bruno Rezende and Osmany Juantorena.

Modena are one of only three teams that managed to beat Trentino during the regular season. They handed the champions their first defeat of the season in December, when they delivered a home victory. Tretino made sure they took revenge when they hosted their opponent in February for a shutout to improve the long-running head-to-head series to an overall 49-35.

“I believe that this edition of the payoffs will be characterized by great balance. The prediction of every single quarterfinal is more uncertain than ever. Not even the series that will see us face Modena escapes this impression. We know well that in the Valsa Group squad there are many players who have proven experience in matches like these, and as we know, we will miss Riccardo Sbertoli's contribution. We are preparing with great determination to enter the court ready to fight for every ball, aware that we will have to build our future step by step and action by action.” Fabio Soli, head coach of Itas Trentino Trento

Trentino vs. Modena | Highlights | Superlega | 20a Giornata

SuperLega Credem Banca 2023-2024 quarterfinals – 1st leg: 
Mar 6, 20:30 local (19:30 UTC): Cucine Lube Civitanova v Mint Vero Volley Monza
Mar 6, 20:30 local (19:30 UTC): Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza v Allianz Milan
Mar 6, 20:30 local (19:30 UTC): Sir Susa Vim Perugia v Rana Verona
Mar 6, 20:30 local (19:30 UTC): Itas Trentino Trento v Valsa Group Modena