Agel PROSTEJOV
However, the Czech champions want to stop that negative trend and give some hard time to one of the strongest teams in the fourth round of the prelims. In the opening match against AsystelCarnaghi VILLA CORTESE played in Italy, the Czechs claimed their first set in the competition and are now longing for their first win in this year’s Champions League as they host the Italians on Wednesday.
“It is a big pity that we were not able to take at least one point this past week. I believe we deserved at least one point because we did very well in three sets out of four which were not decided until the very end. We should have claimed one more set, because the score 1:3 was not our maximum taking into account the way the match was unfolding. But we have to take our positives from this match and get ready for the return. Our performance is improving, we have the home advantage and we will definitely do our best to down VILLA CORTESE in Prostejov. If I do not include the last and immensely difficult match against Rabita BAKU, this is our last but one chance to get some points in the standings in Pool B” says assistant coach Lubomir Petras
The head coach of AGEL Prostejov mentions the biggest advantages of their next opponent.
“VILLA CORTESE does extremely well both in the Serie A1 and in Europe’s club competitions. They benefit from their great game structure, outstanding defense system and tall players – there are six players over 190 cm. That means they are able to perform very high attacks and it is difficult to get through their blocks. Despite this fact we managed to put pressure on them in Italy and played a very close game. Now we also need to perform that well in the return match at home” stresses head coach Miroslav Cada.
Is it important for the coming game that Agel almost lost its long-term invincibility in the national competitions because Olymp Praha finally suffered “only” a 2:3 defeat?
“I think this is not important. The Czech Extraliga and the CEV Volleyball Champions League are totally different competitions, plus Olymp Praha and VILLA CORTESE are totally different opponents. It was Saturday and now Wednesday is coming. Our situation will be different and I believe we will show a very good performance” adds Cada. He did not want to talk about any chances to progress. “It is no sense talking about these things. We will know more after the next match”.
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