Cantù vs Napoli: De Raffaele Focuses on Intensity & Fixing Key Issues

DESIO, Italy – Walter De Raffaele is focused on moving forward. After a heartbreaking two-point loss to Olimpia Milano in a hotly contested Lombardy derby, the Pallacanestro Cantù coach is turning his attention to Sunday’s matchup against Napoli, seeking to reignite his team’s season at the PalaDesio. The game is scheduled for a 5:30 PM CET tip-off (11:30 AM ET).

Cantù, currently battling near the bottom of the Serie A standings, nearly pulled off a significant upset against one of Italy’s top teams. Despite the narrow defeat, De Raffaele emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and refocusing on the challenges ahead. “All the upcoming games will be important for the standings,” De Raffaele said, as reported by local sources. “We are happy to be back playing at home after a long time. We are facing a team that has often changed its face recently and will also have fresh players compared to the last league match.”

Napoli presents a unique challenge, having undergone significant roster changes in recent weeks. De Raffaele acknowledged the difficulty in preparing for a team in flux. “It will be difficult to decipher their style, but it remains a roster with considerable quality in individual players and many players capable of creating their own shot,” he explained. “The ability to contain one-on-one will therefore be one of the most important elements for us, to which we must add a high offensive and defensive intensity for forty minutes.”

The loss in Milan highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in maintaining consistent communication within the team. De Raffaele believes that certain lineups lack cohesion. “I consider there are some quintets where there is little communication,” he stated. “We demand to identify the clarity to understand, during the game, that there are times when we have to give up doing certain things, and this depends on the characteristics of the players and the characteristics that make up the team, the quality of the players and the habit of knowing how to choose.”

Free throw shooting proved costly in Milan, with Cantù converting just 10 of 21 attempts. De Raffaele addressed the issue with a story about Carlton Myers, a prolific scorer who famously limited his free throw practice. “Carlton Myers, a great scorer, at the end of training would shoot a maximum of three free throws because he said ‘they won’t give me more than three anyway’,” De Raffaele recounted. “The problem isn’t the quantity, but the concentration of performing under pressure. So, beyond the repetitiveness that can be very useful for Ballo, and he is working on it, the problem is executing in the game.”

Despite the setback, the debut of Février against Milan offered a positive sign. De Raffaele praised the new addition, noting his composure and potential. “Against an important team, he already showed that he is a player who knows how to be on the court,” De Raffaele said. “He lacks knowledge of his teammates, but it will come. He is an intelligent boy and a great worker.”

Looking ahead to the matchup against Napoli, De Raffaele emphasized the importance of rebounding and addressing the issues that arose in crucial moments of the Milan game. “We have paid attention especially to the things that did not go well in the crucial moments of the game, trying to fix them,” he said. He also highlighted the need to improve on defensive rotations to limit opponents’ second-chance opportunities. “The problem of offensive rebounds is often due to the changes that are made for the purposes of possessions. But the question is to depart offensive rebounds in the important moments of the game, and here is a job that we are doing to automate, as they say in jargon, the reductions from mismatch.”

With Treviso also playing shortly before Cantù, the temptation to monitor their result might arise. However, De Raffaele dismissed any such notion. “Absolutely not, it’s not in my nature to do calculations, to look at what others are doing… First because it brings bad luck, and then because it seems like a useless waste of energy,” he stated. “We must focus on our game, which already seems complicated enough.”

The upcoming game against Napoli represents a crucial opportunity for Cantù to climb the Serie A standings and build momentum. De Raffaele’s focus on intensity, communication, and execution will be key as his team looks to secure a much-needed victory at home. The coach is hoping to see a more clinical performance from his players, particularly in capitalizing on scoring opportunities and limiting turnovers.

Cantù will need to contain Napoli’s individual threats and disrupt their offensive flow. A strong defensive performance, coupled with efficient offensive execution, will be essential for securing a positive result. The team’s ability to control the boards and limit second-chance points will also be a critical factor in determining the outcome of the game.

Following Sunday’s match against Napoli, Pallacanestro Cantù will prepare for their next challenge, with details to be announced by the league. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress and schedule through the official Pallacanestro Cantù website and social media channels.

What are your thoughts on Cantù’s chances against Napoli? Share your predictions and comments below!