Asseco Resovia
These sides have an immaculate record after two legs and currently share the top of the charts in Pool G.
However, last year’s national champions of Asseco Resovia RZESZOW are having real troubles in the domestic arena. They lost their last two games against lower ranked teams, i.e. Delecta BYDGOSZCZ (1:3) and Tytan AZS CZESTOCHOWA (2:3) and so far they have a disappointing record of three wins and three losses out of six games. This, nevertheless, contributes even more motivation for the upcoming clash with CUNEO whereby Asseco Resovia hopes to get back the right confidence for the remainder of the season.
On the other hand, Bre Banca Lannutti CUNEO is one of the most decorated Italian teams of the past years with some international Volleyball stars such as Nikola Grbic, Wout Wijsmans and Luigi Mastrangelo included in the roster. However, this side has never claimed Europe’s most elitist competition and is very determined to fight for this missing trophy this year.
Wednesday’s match promises to be very interesting as both teams have set very high goals for their campaign in the CEV Volleyball Champions League. Additionally, the first place in the Pool will be at stake before these sides cross their ways once more next November 20 in Italy. It is worth mentioning that all the tickets for the game in Rzeszow are already sold-out as such matches against powerful and notable teams are very special for the Polish supporters. Moreover, in the last few years Asseco Resovia couldn’t defeat any Italian team in the European Cups and will hence try to break this negative record.
“The last defeats we have suffered in the national league provided us with reasons for concern. Nevertheless, I’m sure that against CUNEO my players will be very determined to change this situation. They have great skills and huge potential but so far they lacked consistency. It’s vital to maintain a good level of play during the whole match. We also need to serve much better than we did in the previous games because this fundamental is crucial in modern Volleyball and so far, unfortunately, this wasn’t our strongest point” states Andrzej Kowal, mentor of the Polish team.
“We are already focused on Wednesday’s game in Rzeszow where we want to make good use of our home advantage and supporters. We have to pressure our opponents and play at our highest level. We appreciate the quality of our rivals, we know that they are a classy team but we have also a very good roster with many national team players. I think that both teams have some big names in their rosters but the most important thing for us is to display our best Volleyball, good quality of play, real determination and the necessary self-confidence. I believe that we are able to recover and regain our confidence starting from this game” adds Aleh Akhrem, captain of Asseco Resovia.
“Our clash with Asseco Resovia will be very important as we fight for the first place in Pool G. The Polish team has a very good roster and players with undoubted experience. They have big potential in service thus we have to be careful in reception and on the other hand play with courage and the right focus. This will be a game in which all players want to perform well taking into consideration the excellent level and technical skills of both teams” admits Roberto Piazza, the head coach of Bre Banca Lannutti CUNEO.
“The game in Rzeszow will be very difficult for us. We know that Asseco Resovia is having some troubles in the Polish league where they recently lost a couple of games. Nevertheless, we expect that the Polish team will try to regain its confidence in this upcoming clash against our team. Those two matches between CUNEO and RZESZOW should be the toughest battles in Pool G that will decide which team will take first place in the group” adds Serbian setter Nikola Grbic.
“So far we are sharing with our opponents the top of the charts in Pool G. We have to display our best Volleyball in order to show our strength and skills. It will be vital for us to claim a good result in Poland as well as in the next game against Asseco Resovia in Italy because it would give us some more confidence and a good position for the future. Of course it’s easier to say it than to do it on the court but I hope we will manage to achieve our goal” concludes captain Wout Wijsmans.
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