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Due to a suspension, Roma are forced to play on the neutral court in Bologna

Roma aren't a shadow of the team they were last year, when they got to finals. They are struggling on the offense because they lack physical strength, and now they're facing the athletically strong Brindisi

Even though they defeated Montegranaro in the first round of the championship, it was obvious Roma aren't close to what they were last year when they got to the finals. They struggled throughout the whole game against Montegranaro, and managed to rip out the win from an unwatchable game.

They had a performance against the French Eurocup representative, Gravelines, in the middle of the week. Coach Dalmonte could use the short wing Jones in that game, one of the most important players in the team last year. Like in the championship, the only players in the mood were point guard/ shooting guard Goss with 15 points, 5 jumps and 3 assists, and small forward Hosley with 19 points, 2 jumps and 2 assists. They managed to match the guests in the jumps and had an advantage there, but they didn't fare well with their shots, and lost the game because of that, and the lack of physical strength.

- We played against the team that are more ready than we are at the moment because they started the championship earlier. We were in the red from the very beginning, and we couldn't make up for it - Dalmonte said after the game.

Now they're facing an uncomfortable opponent who surprised everyone in the first round by beating the championship favorite, Milano. They will play on the neutral court in Bologna because of Roma's suspension. Coach Dalmonte is aware of the tough task they have ahead of them:

- Brindisi beating Milano is a surprise, but it's the result of a well positioned and ready team. Brindisi are a physically strong team lead by point guard Dyson and shooting guard Lewis. They have a few other great players who play an aggressive defense and create a big pressure on the opponent. We have to be good on the defense in this game, and control the jump if we want to have a positive score. 

It was already written about Brindisi bringing very good reinforcements this year, but not many expected them to win in Milano. 

- It was a big win for us, and we dedicated it to the fans and the city. I told the guys, we have a hard game ahead of us, but they responded to every situation in a great way - coach Bucchi stated after the game.

Except for the second quarter when they lost 17-26 because of the lost balls, they were an even match for the rest of the game, and even a better opponent. They closed Milano's players with the defense, and Dyson drove them crazy with fast transitions. He ended the game with 18 points, James added 17 more, and 5 jumps, and Lewis had 13 points and 8 jumps. Even though it doesn't show in the statistics, Aminu did a great job on the defense, because he closed every access to the basked with his 210 cm. Todic played a great game from the bench, and had 14 points and 7 jumps.

Brindisi are a physically powerful team with a lot of strength for running. Everyone's extremely movable, and if they repeat the show against Milano, Roma could be in a lot of trouble because teams like that one aren't really to their liking.

Unfortunately for them, their team were affected with illnesses and injuries, and coach Bucchi explained it:

- Lewis, Formenti and Leggio are down with virosis, and Zerrini has knee issues. Everyone's recovered by now, and the MR showed Zerrini can play as well. We know we have a tough and physically demanding game ahead of us in Bologna, where we have to stop Goss and Taylor. We're a young team, and we're maturing tactically, but we have to defend the out shot better on the defense. 

Bucchi pays most attention to Hosley, besides Goss and Taylor, because if they stop him, they have good chances. They had a whole week to rest while Roma had a hard game in Europe. If they play at a Milano level, they're much closer to the win than Roma. 

Roma are playing their today's game on neutral ground in Bologna, due to a suspension from last season. They didn't start the season well and they have huge problems on offense. Coach Dalmonte keeps repeating they're still not completely fit and they lack power. All of the offensive burden in two games played fell on Goss and Hosley, while Mbakwe did the work under the basket. They played Eurocup in midweek, which certainly didn't help them, considering their fitness problem. Now they're facing an athletically powerful team that beat Milano in the first game. They are led by internationals Dyson, Lewis, Snaer, James, Todic, Aminu. Their good form from the preseason was carried over to the league, and they're very dangerous. Lewis and James will create big problems for the Goss-Hosley twosome, since they are bigger and stronger, yet mobile and quick at the same time. Brindisi shouldn't have many problems under the basket, since Aminu and Todic proved to be a very good pair. Altogether, considering the aspects of form, matchup and fatigue, Brindisi certainly have a good chance today.