Armani EA7 Milano-Segafredo Virtus Bologna result 69-75- Corriere.it

Virtus Bologna exalts its working class and flies to the solitary command of Serie A. Scariolo’s team inflicted their first home defeat in the league at Olimpia, finding alternative solutions to hide their absences better than the hosts. The 12,331-paying Italy derby at the Forum conditioned by staffing problems, but the 5 unavailable on each side (Shields, Pangos, Hall, Datome and Biligha for EA7; Pajola, Teodosic, Oyeleje, Cordinier and Camara for the black Vu ) generate different reactions on the two fronts. And Segafredo deservedly wins even without the magic of the Serbian ace (in the pits for another two weeks), finding a team of 10 men on the scoresheet and a substantial defense capable of embarrassing a too sterile Milan without its key men on the perimeter.

Bologna traces the groove to the sound of triples, quickly flying to pi 16 in the second quarter with volleys from Belinelli (12) and Weems (10). EA7 gives away a time in defense, conceding 49 points in the first 20′; then he returns with the right attitude, attacking the game with a 15-1 in the first 6′ of the third quarter which is worth overtaking on 51-50. But it is precisely at that juncture that Virtus finds the strength to overturn the inertia first with Hackett (11) and then with Lundberg (11), while Olimpia’s attack returns to show that dearly costly sterility in the dark period in the Euroleague. The hosts only collect archery tools, while Virtus scratches in key moments (the decisive 12/27 from 3 against Olimpia’s icy 6/25). Cos Lundberg from 3 and the surgical Shengelia (10 and 7 rebounds) on a second shot sign the decisive 66-72 in the 38th minute.

Segafredo goes 3-1 in the seasonal matches against Milan: with empty infirmaries, in June, it will probably be other protagonists who will decide the eagerly awaited third consecutive Italian final between the two big favourites. But Virtus discovered they could win even without Teodosic, while Olimpia confirmed they couldn’t do without Shields and Pangos.