Bologna, 13 December 2021 – It could have been a complicated match for the Fortitudo and instead it has turned into an overwhelming ride that crushes a frankly unpresentable Allianz Trieste.
Without long-term residents Fantinelli, Totè e Mancinelli the Kigili Bologna if you present to Paladozza with his back to the wall, from last in the standings, and does not fail the test of 9, dragged by Pietro Aradori, probably stimulated by the confrontation with the great ex Adrian Banks, author of a perfect first half, but above all from Geoffrey Groselle who with 24 points and 32 evaluation is the real ruler of the game. Men’s coach Antimo Martino they need 8 and a half minutes to overcome the Julian resistance, and from 22-21 they take off, never to look back.
He slips the bombs of the definitive furrow Robin Benzing, returned after the stop for Covid-19, and from there we witness a monologue of the Effe scudata starring the newcomer Jacopo Borra and the jump Gabriele Procida which tonight hinted at why the NBA may not just be a pipe dream.
The best viaticum for next Sunday’s derby at Segafredo Arena could not have been for Fortitudo, who will face the derby without the worry of last place alone in the standings.
For the guys of coach Franco Ciani there are no words that can justify such a performance. The Julian defense was the caricature of that seen throughout the season, the 96 points suffered are the negative record of the championship and the impression of not believing in the recovery of the result came almost immediately and not even the graft of Corey Davis Jr. it solved a lot.
Pressroom
The words of the two coaches at the match
Fortituo Kigili Bologna vs Allianz Pallacanestro Trieste 96-61
Partial: 30-21; 23-11; 14-17; 29-12
Jon Axel Gudmundsson 6.5: he is on the pitch when the team digs the decisive furrow, if he does not have to be the protagonist he can be a good complement, he also puts a bomb, what more could you ask for after the difficulties we have had so far?
Pietro Aradori 7.5: is the great protagonist of the start of the game, he scores 17 points, all in the first half, but they are the decisive ones for the break, probably also stimulated by the confrontation with the former teammate Banks.
Jabril Durham 6+: he does his homework, he makes his teammates play, but not even the shadow of points on the scoresheet, in more complicated games it will not be enough.
Gabriele Procida 8: almost perfect match, a jumping octopus that reaches incredible heights. He mounts Banks with remarkable results and makes the spectators jump in their seats with athletic prowess that alone are worth the price of the ticket.
Robin Benzing 6+: he returned from the stop caused by Covid, he puts the first two bombs of his game and then goes off, but they are the ones who decided the race.
James Feldeine 6,5: Taken to be the main scorer, he has very little strength and fans 5 assists, since there was no need for his points he put himself at the service of the team, intelligent.
Vassilis Chararampopulos 6: he does not do sensational things, but behind he is solid he takes rebounds, tonight it was enough.
Geoffrey Groselle 8; together with Procida he is my MVP, 32 of evaluation, 24 points in 24 minutes, he punishes with continuity the opponents’ equal role with that half hooks from 3/4 meters that tonight seemed could never be wrong, perfect.
Jacopo Borra 7+: 13 points in 16 minutes, almost perfect shooting, flawless free throws, perhaps the biggest surprise among the new signings, annihilates the much vaunted Konate, bravo.
Adrian Banks 5: he hoped to have more impact, but is lacking in shooting, and the 4 turnovers are only slightly balanced by the 4 assists, it was not the return to Paladozza he expected.
Corey Davis Jr. 5: new team, new environment, new league: tonight’s impact was zero, hopefully for the Julian fans that he can give more, less is difficult.
Juan Manuel Fernandez 5.5: from outside he never makes a basket, finds some nice impromptu entries and gives his teammates 7 assists, but never gives the idea of having the management of the game in hand.
Sagaba Konate 5: more was expected from this player given on the launching pad by the critics, tonight his two opponents played their best game of the season….
Lodovico Deangeli 5,5: he starts pretty well, and as long as he is on the pitch in the first quarter the Allianz remains in the game, when he comes back the oxen have already escaped, and he certainly cannot be asked to go and take them back by himself.
Fabio Mian 4: 0 points, 4 fouls committed, -7 evaluation, for heaven’s sake we stop here.
Marcos Delia 6: his offensively does it, but behind the same role he suffers too much, but alone he cannot do more than that.
Daniele Cavaliero 4: is the captain, and should lead by example, it happens that it is not the right day, but at -20 trying to provoke the opponents is not there.
Andrejs Grazulis 5: takes a couple of offensive rebounds, but then nothing else to report, for one of the team leaders a little bit.
Alessandro Lever 4,5: practically the same game as Mian, half a vote more for the young age.
