Giannelli returns to Trentino wearing Perugia’s Jersey
News
Italian star setter Simone Giannelli had spent 12 seasons wearing Trentino’s jersey before his move to Perugia last summer, captaining the team in 130 matches out of a total of 315 appearances. Today he returns to the BLM Group Arena for the first time after missing the Italian league match at the beginning of January, having tested positive for COVID-19.
Today’s match in the CEV Champions League Volley will be the fifth clash of the season for the two teams across all competitions and an astounding 44th in history with a more balanced record than most would’ve assumed: 2 wins each this season and 22 wins for Trentino vs 21 for Perugia in total.
The hosts from Trentino will be confident they can hold off Giannelli and Perugia at the BLM Arena today, a place where the support of their fans has been having an incredible impact taking the team to a record of 43 wins out of 49 matches played on this court, and not having lost a match for almost two years.
The stakes are high today, a win for Perugia consolidating their place at the top of Pool E while a win for Trentino would tie the won matches ratio and could also tie the situation on points in the standings. One thing is for sure, the atmosphere at the BLM Group Arena will once again be special, made even more special by the return of local idol Simone Giannelli.
Angelo Lorenzetti“This is a vital match because we have to win as many games and points as possible if we want to qualify in quarter finals; of course, we would be able to take a step forward to our goal, if we can do it on this occurrence. However, we know the qualities of the opponent, that we are facing in a very intense moment of the season”
Coach Trentino Itas
Sebastian Solè“We are going to Trento to play for the first place in the Pool. We know the quality and strength of Trento very well, Thursday's is the fifth match of the season against them. We have some defections in the team, but we know we have a long and complete roster and we want to return to Perugia with a victory that would mean first place”
Player Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia