The PalaRubini is preparing to roar. Tonight at 8.30pm, Pallacanestro Trieste faces the last obstacle of an intense 2025 so far: the Vu Nere of Virtus Bologna arrive.
It’s not just a prestigious match, it’s a fundamental crossroads for the first round. With a very short ranking and no margin for error, the red and whites are called to a test of substance to secure that seventh place which is worth access to the Final Eight of the Italian Cup.
The team arrives at this big match with shortness of breath after a complicated December, marked by the falls of Sassari and Varese and the internal misstep against Würzburg.
Although the group has demonstrated the ability to win matches thanks to sudden bursts of pure talent, against opponents of this caliber a leap in quality is needed in the management of the forty minutes, avoiding those blackouts that risk making the inertia of the match slip away.
In the words of Israel Gonzalez the awareness of the tactical difficulty of the match emerges.
«Bologna has a Euroleague roster – underlines the Spanish coach – very deep and built with many good players. Their main characteristic is their very high intensity: for forty minutes they work a lot in defense and are very aggressive. For us it will be essential to move the ball well and avoid losing too many.”
Cleanliness in offensive choices, managing possessions in an orderly manner and limiting gratuitous errors will be the first barrier to erect against opposing pressure. It won’t be easy for Trieste who will have to deal once again with the absence of a player as valuable to their balance as Sissoko.
«To be able to have rhythm, the rebounding fight will be very important – continues Gonzalez -. We know of the difficulties we are facing in this aspect without Mady, but with the work of the whole team we can limit this problem. If we can be competitive in the fight under the boards, we will be able to play at our own pace.”
It will therefore not just be a challenge between big men, but a collective effort to dirty the passing lines and contain the Juventus physicality in pick and roll situations. Ultimately, Trieste is hunting for a real feat, also counting on the push of a stadium that promises to be very hot.
«We expect the support of our fans – concludes Gonzalez – they are always very warm at home and we hope they can give us a big boost».
The PalaRubini is quickly moving towards being sold out: only the last coupons in sectors A, J and S2 remain available.
For latecomers who have not taken advantage of the Vivaticket circuit, the ticket office in via Miani will be open today from 10am to 1pm, while any remaining items will be on sale from 5.30pm, at the external box office in via Flavia. —
