First match point for Cantù to secure second place in the Green group of Serie A2. And it is, at first glance, a truly big match, complete with live, free-to-air TV on RaiSport HD.
Tonight S.Bernardo faces the leaders of the Red group, Unieuro Forlì, at 8.45pm, in the second clash of the season after the one that took place a month ago in Rome in the semi-final of the Italian Cup.
It was a top-level match, because the second of the Green group and the leaders, with an already established and armored primacy, of the Red, compete. Which could also change, on paper, the attitude of the Romagna players, who have already had their sights set on the playoffs for a few weeks and have zero motivation or needs in terms of the standings. Let’s also add the fact that Forlì will be without its big American Johnson, one of the best foreigners in the A2.
But it remains a difficult match, against an objectively strong team that has already beaten coach Cagnardi’s team, albeit by just one point. It may not be the theme of the evening, but a feeling of revenge for that burning defeat will also come into play. Certainly, after beating Piacenza, Cantù needs to give himself and give some confirmations after the terrible month just passed.
Furthermore, unlike tonight’s opponent, S.Bernardo still has some unfinished business with the championship before the start of the playoffs. And the thing to settle is reaching second place, a position that would be important for Cantù for two reasons: to avoid the playoffs – with Cantù second, the paths would be distinct and separated into two different scoreboards – and to guarantee the field factor until the semi-finals , i.e. the possibility of playing the possible match 5 at the PalaFitLine in Desio in the event of a draw in the series.
Factors that were well calculated in Cantù, making this second place a micro seasonal objective which, objectively, now seems definitely within reach.
Because Cantù would only need to win one of the two matches remaining at the end of the scheduled phase (the other will be with Udine at home on Sunday 21st) to secure second place arithmetically.
Thanks to the two-point advantage over Torino and the direct clash in their favour, Cantù could qualify second even in the event of two defeats, provided that the Piedmontese lose at least one of the two remaining matches, away against Fortitudo Bologna and at home against Verona.
And, with all the necessary certainties in advance, the last match against Udine would be little more than qualified training for Cantù with a view to the playoffs.
2024-04-12 18:02:54
#Cantù #Forlì #revenge
