Italian rivalry under European spotlight
Preview
Defending European champions Cucine Lube Civitanova renew their all-Italian rivalry with Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia this week, as both sides clash in the first leg off Pool A, in the 4th round of the Men's Champions League in Tours.
The two powerhouses, who between them account for as many as 20 players of the Italian National Team, were on track to make the top four of the Champions League last season, before it was interrupted due to the coronavirus, though Perugia did get the better of . A year earlier, Perugia fell in the semifinals to Russia's Zenit Kazan, missing out on going head-to-head in the final with Lube who went on to win the trophy.
This season they're currently neck-and-neck at the top of the table in the Italian League - both on 11-1 records, but with Perugia two points ahead. Lube struggled but pulled off an incredible comeback from two sets down at Ravenna this weekend, while Perugia thundered past Piacenza in straight sets, slightly extending their lead to two points.
Lube and Perugia haven't yet met this season in the doemstic league (their first Regular Season match postoponed due to positive Covid-19 cases and pending rescheduling), but they did go head-to-head in the final of the Supercup - Perugia emerging victorious after five sets.
So can Argentina's Luciano de Cecco, who switched sides from Perugia to Lube this season make a difference on Tuesday?
Ferdinando de Giorgi"Every single match will certainly be decisive in this pool."
Lube head coach
With Turkey's Arkas Izmir withdrawn from the competition due to Covid-19 restrictions, the only other side in Pool B that can try and break up the Italian hegemony and prevent a possible 'double' of Lube and Perugia in the race for quarterfinal tickets are reigning French champions Tours VB.
The nine-time national champions of France are down this season on several of the star players that led them over previous years and seemt to be struggling, mid-table, in the A League. They're actually coming off a four-set defeat at home to Cambrais on Sunday, just before getting ready to host their two Italian opponents this week.
Probably the biggest challenge Tours can pose to Lube and Perugia would be newly-signed this season opposite Artur Udrys of Bealrus, who has been leading the team so far in the French League.