Superlega volley, Milan beats Padua in the “Japanese derby”

Milan finds the smile with a full success that relaunches Piazza’s team in the standings after a start to the game that is anything but simple.

Padua-Milan 1-3 (30-28, 23-25, 19-25, 18-25)

The Allianz, after losing the first partial to the advantages, in fact found themselves under 9-15 also in the second set with a Padova seemed to be the master of the field. But Mergarejo’s graft for Ebadipour, Ishikawa’s thrust in batting and the collapse of Padua in many fundamentals paved the way for the Milanese. The long-distance duel between the Japanese went to Ishikawa, decisive in the comeback of the second set and author of a flawless test. Too bad only for the muscle problem that forced him on the bench in the fourth set. Takahashi, on the other hand, was not able to repeat the good tests of the last races. Better than him, certainly, Asparuhov while Petkovic continues to be a player with many points per game, but not very decisive in the moments that really matter. The chronicle. All-Milanese start in the first set with Padova unable to find a minimum of continuity in attack and with Allianz’s serve making the difference (3-7). Then the defense from Padua begins to improve and Petkovic hits 13-13 and then Asparuhov gives the first advantage to the bianconeri. But it’s a flash in the pan because Patry’s serve (only one in ten attacking in the set) digs an important furrow again (14-17). But Milan still complicates life (21-20): in the final head-to-head it is the walls of Crosato that close the score (30-28). Cuttini’s team has a better start even at the start of the second set (7-4) with Takahashi who, by batting, takes his team to 15-9. The set seems to be marked but it is not like this: Mergarejo takes the place of Ebadipour and the Allianz shakes up (15-14) with a crazy turn by Ishikawa in serving. The set is reopened: it is again the Japanese from Milan, with an ace, to sign the 21 all. In the final head to head Petkovic’s carelessness weighs: he closes Patry on 23-25. Volleyball Padova also pays for Takahashi’s decline in attack (not prevented in the second set) and the game continues on the parity tracks (5-5). The Venetians try a first extension (10-7), but Vitelli’s block immediately puts the set in a draw (11-11). The inertia of the set changes immediately: it is always the service of Piazza’s team that makes the difference and pushes Allianz forward (13-16). The bianconeri pull the plug badly and Milan spreads until the final 19-25. A trend that does not change a bit in the fourth set with Milan (with Ebadipour in place of Ishikawa) ahead from the start and Padua awkward and timid in all fundamentals. A partial without history and without jolts with the Allianz owner of the field. (Massimo Salmaso)