Bologna –
Interviewed on the pre LBA Finals UnipolSai 2024 Media Day, coach Luca Banchi spoke ahead of his Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s challenge against EA7 Emporio Armani Milano: “Who would I take away from Olimpia? No, I want them all, I want them in shape, I want them at their full potential. I fear more than Milan the depth of the roster, the organization of play on both halves of the court, a very high-profile technical leadership.
Virtus overcame some of the difficulties encountered in the past series against Tortona and Venice: “We showed even during the series that we know how to treasure, what happened. Our Game 4 in Venice speaks of a different level of concentration, of continuity. Shengelia? I think she is still carrying around the after-effects of a rough condition, the result of many minor aches and pains, which unfortunately occurred during this season and often came right at the time of her peak performance. I think he had already shown a very good version of himself in the decisive game against Tortona at home, Game 5. And then he was absolute the protagonist in the last success in Venice as well.”
Who will be able to show off on both sides? “I think both teams have players on the roster who can prove to be stars. Then it’s such a special time of the season where you have to be able to ride the moment”.
Also applauding the leadership qualities of captain Marco Belinelli: “I recognize in his behaviors often the ability, the charisma, to be a reference for others. So I think his is really charismatic leadership. If I think about the future or those coaches who are now in charge of working with young people, these are qualities that are difficult to teach, to transmit, but that, as coaches, we have the task and the duty to nurture. In the role of an instructor or a coach there is to enhance the resources you have at your disposal, where you recognize qualities not only technical, but also character, emotional, and you have to have the humility, to have the strength to put yourself at the service of these excellences. Marco is an excellence, and as such he gets recognized on the field, off the field, and he doesn’t necessarily do it by putting himself out there or by going above others. He has the strength, charisma, and credibility to be able to approach a more retitled great champion, such as Bryant Dunston or Toko Shengelia, or a young person on the team in the same way. So much of these qualities you recognize in these attitudes, and sometimes they are even hidden, a bit quiet. It follows him this aura, which has a continuity that follows him even off the field.”
