Treviso – V. Bologna

Italy - Serie A, Round 19

05/02/2024 20:00 CET

Following their EuroLeague victory over Partizan Belgrade, Virtus Segafredo Bologna returns to the domestic league. On Monday, February 5th, at 8 PM, they will play away against Treviso, the second-to-last team in the standings. On paper, there seems to be no contest, but experience has taught us that performances can dip following the exertions of Cup competitions. The question often arises: "How is it possible to lose to a team that costs a fifth as much?" Fortunately, such unpredictability adds excitement, and there's a belief that if Bologna and Milano weren't participating in the EuroLeague, they would easily top the league without issue.

The match against Partizan was grueling, both physically and mentally, and it remains to be seen whether the team will ride the wave of enthusiasm or struggle a bit. Coach Banchi has welcomed back Dobric and Shengelia, and it's expected that he will give them plenty of minutes to reintegrate them into the team's dynamics after their prolonged absences. Dobric made a brief appearance against the Serbs, while Shengelia started but clearly wasn't at his best from two months ago. The coach is likely to give them ample opportunity to get back into form, even if it means tolerating some mistakes.

Dunston, at 37, who has played countless minutes carrying the department, might be given a rest, likely making room for the Zizic-Polonara duo, who have shown a clear need for more playtime. With another critical match against Monaco at home on Friday, managing the players' energy will be crucial. This highlights how technical assessments are significantly influenced by the coaches' decisions with a European perspective in mind.

Treviso will come prepared, showcasing their sharpshooters like Olisevicius, averaging 18 points, Bowman with 13.7, Allen at 12.5, and De Angelo Harrison, who scored 27 in the last game against Scafati. They have several players who consistently score in double figures. Treviso is a high-scoring team, averaging 80.7 points per game; however, their defense is somewhat lacking, conceding 84.3 points on average. Virtus scores even more in Italy, with 87.7 points per game, while allowing only 76.8.

But these are just numbers, and the post-Cup context can alter the landscape. Paradoxically, after defeats in the EuroLeague, they have responded with superb performances in Italy, whereas after victories, their performance has sometimes dipped.