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Macerata have to oscillate less

Home team showed two opposite games against Verona. Modena went over Trentino better than expected and with their current form, they'll definitely know how to seize offered chances

Macerata showed a lot better game in the second match against Verona. After they were saving themselves at home turning 0-2 in sets, the return fixture showed the favorite's complete dominance. They played exactly as expected and didn't allow the opponent to come close. The first name was Ivan Zaytsev with 17 points, and they outplayed Verona in every segment.

- The game was significantly better than the first one. We started the game with more respect for the opponent and took the initiative from the start. We have a week until the next duel and we can get ready in peace - the blocker Stankovic said after the win. 

The opponent are a much better team than Verona and they can't have oscillations like in the first match. Modena got five wins in the last six matches which is a fact that calls for caution. Symbolically, their last defeat was exactly against Macerata. 

- No doubt Modena will be on the wings of win against the title defender Trentino. But, we want to go on undefeated at home and make our fans happy once again - Marko Podrascanin added. 

Macerata won't play this series in their own arena Palasport Fontescodella, but in PalaBaldinelli Osimo that will have them till the end of the season. Their loyal army won't be bothered by it much, and they'll definitely have a fiery support from the stands.

There were news about the home team losing another player on Friday. After the libero Alessandro Paparoni got injured previously, the blocker Stefano Patriarca injured his ankle and will probably miss today's match. Macerata will only have 10 players for this match. 

Modena and Trentino's duels were supposed to be the most intense quarterfinals matches. It didn't happen thanks to Modena's brilliant performances. Bruninho's last move from the final moments of the first duel is still a hit online, and the confirmation of their early work arrived in the second match. They took the lead 2-0 easily, but then they relaxed a bit too much. Trentino reduced the difference and took control over the fourth set, so it seemed the winner will be decided by a tie-break. Still, Modena managed to turn 20-24 to 27-25 and ruin the guests' last traces of hope. 

- We're thrilled with our placement in the semifinals. I think we've earned it. We had luck in the fourth set, but considering all the things that happened to us for most of the previous and this season, it had to get back somewhere. We have a tough opponent waiting for us, but after a win against Trentino, we'll resist hard - coach Angelo Lorenzetti was satisfied. 

After the initial thrill, the coach became more grounded and tried to have a reasonable approach to a demanding opponent:

- Numbers reveal a lot in volleyball. Macerata defeated us in both matches this year, and it clearly shows their quality. We're waiting for the semifinals in a good mood, but we can't burn on the court. We have to work on our game in the technical part and use all chances Macerata give us. 

I expect Modena to participate in this match much more than the bookmakers suggest. They have been doing brilliantly lately, they knocked out last year's champions easily, and on top of that, the home team have problems with the line up, and won't play at their arena. Mecerata are not the same team they were when they dominated the Italian volleyball and Trentino were the only team that could beat them. They have had many ups and downs, and failures this season...too many considering their reputation. They can beat just about anyone if they're having a good day, but given the importance of this game, I don't think it will end in three sets. Besides, the regular season game in which Macerata were the home team was settled after five sets.