First friendly test for Virtus. This afternoon (5 pm) at the Porelli gym, a scrimmage will be played against Pesaro, strictly behind closed doors. If we exclude Andejs Grazulis and Devontae Cacok, still struggling with their respective rehabilitations, Luca Banchi will have the full team available, keeping in mind that Isaia Cordinier, no longer so fresh from his Olympic silver medal with France, joined the group only on Tuesday. The team from the Marche were relegated from Serie A to A2 at the end of last season and are now looking for immediate redemption, keeping in mind that there are quite a few teams aiming for promotion to the top division and that there are only two places available. Normally, these first commitments are said to be useful above all to break the rhythm of the first weeks of preparation and to untie the legs, but in this case things are a little different. The only player who has been busy with his national team since mid-July was Cordinier, while all the others had the chance to stop and sort out those little ailments that accumulate during the year.
Virtus is therefore ready for this commitment and with the desire to find that chemistry that makes seasons more or less successful. The team has a lot of offensive talent with the arrivals of Rayjon Tucker and Will Clyburn who are added to the confirmation of the tireless captain Marco Belinelli, and with Daniel Hackett they also have the phosphorus to manage so many shooters. Also from the point of view of the wings with the arrival of Nicola Akele to support the duo formed by Toko Shengelia and Achille Polonara there is greater balance and greater versatility in managing the double commitment between the championship and the Euroleague, while the sector of the centers is all to be discovered knowing that its version will be judged only when there is a complete recovery of Cacok.
Watching his team in action today, coach Banchi will have the opportunity to make an initial summary of his team’s journey. The field first and the market later have led to the inclusion of 7 new players, only one of whom played in the first continental championship. The others will have to do a real ‘full immersion’ given that one of the club’s goals is also to participate in the European playoffs. It’s a real challenge given that the level has risen both among the Euroleague teams and among those of the Italian league. Even last year, however, it was thought that the team would not have reached the goals it then achieved and if it succeeded, a good part of the credit goes to its fans. But, today, the capacity of the Porelli gym requires that the doors remain closed today.
Max Selleri