Bologna –
Interviewed by Massimo Selleri on “Il Resto del Carlino – Bologna,” Virtus Segafredo Bologna CEO Luca Baraldi talked about how the team is looking at the LBA Finals UnipolSai 2024: “We have the right attitude to face this final. We are aware of the strength of our opponent and the fact that Milan is our historical rival, but we are equally convinced of the strength of a group that has had an important season so far. How is the team doing? I would say well. Between now and Thursday the players should resolve all their aches and pains and, therefore, it should be full. Ante Zizic could also make it since the injury that stopped him in Venice should heal with a few days of therapy.”
Euroleague side, is there a real possibility that Virtus will play it again next year? “We are aware that we have taken all the steps we could take to get the license. In the meeting we had in April this effort was recognized to us, and that is why I think it went well. For them the issue of the new sports hall is fundamental and from this point of view BolognaFiere told us that in the fall of 2026 the new facility will be ready. In the meantime always thanks to an agreement with them we will have at our disposal the current temporary facility without which we could not play in the Euroleague.”
What kind of final will there be? “I hope that the court factor will continue to make a difference as it did last year. If this is the case, we will have an advantage that will help us compete against Milan, a very strong opponent that in the return leg has beaten three of the four teams that played in the Euroleague final four.”
On the Ownership and trade: “President Massimo Zanetti immediately reassured the team that he will continue to be present, guaranteeing a first-rate future for Virtus. Time and again he has proven to be a person who keeps his promises, and the fact that by his side there is an equally serious entrepreneur is a security. As for the possible sponsorship with Segafredo, negotiations are underway and I hope and believe that an agreement will eventually be found. “We are always vigilant about the market, but at the moment we have stopped at speculation. Since I have been administering Virtus we have always spent the money we had in the till, so until the budget is decided precisely on we will not move. I would like to point out that this year’s team cost 20 percent less than the previous year’s, and that is also why the results we have achieved should be considered extraordinary.”
Baraldi also closed to a possible departure of coach Luca Banchi: “The coach has a contract with us and unless he comes asking us to leave he will stay here. We have no reason to make a change since we are satisfied with his work. I was astonished to read about his departure, also because this is yes a rumor that can annoy and is only intended to destabilize us.”
