ITA - Clubs prepares for tough battles in Bologna

ROME (Coppa Italia) - Armani Jeans Milano will not be taking Premiata Montegranaro lightly when the two sides meet in the first round of the Coppa Italia.

Milano are among the giants in Italy while Montegranaro are in Lega A after winning promotion last season.

The minnows have prevailed in nine of their 17 games so far in the top flight and Milano coach Aleksandar Djordjevic warned ahead of their February 8 showdown in Bologna: "Premiata Montegranaro are for real.

"Although they were promoted this season, they have worked together for the last three years, they haven’t changed much in the past three years and they have already proved their worth by qualifying for this competition."

Coppa holders Eldo Napoli have a daunting task against Lega A leaders Montepaschi Siena, but coach Piero Bucchi is optimistic.

"We want to defend the title that we claimed last year," he said.

"We are in good form and we believe we can do it.

Benetton Treviso are also up against stern opposition as they take on in-form Lottomatica Roma.

Giorgio Buzzavo, the president of Benetton Basket, said: "We’ve qualified for the Coppa Italia at the last minute, but now we cannot hide. We must point towards the final victory.

"And we will battle from the start, even though we have a very difficult game against Lottomatica Roma."

David Blatt, who led Benetton to last year’s Lega A crown but watched his side bow out of the Coppa in a semi-final defeat to Napoli, said: "I think all of the teams that have arrived to the final eight are of a high level.

"Roma are currently one of the best teams in Italy.

"The Coppa Italia is a different tournament from the Lega Basket.

"There’s no tomorrow. If you fail to clear the first hurdle, you’re out. We’ll do our best to arrive in Bologna in the best possible condition in order to win our second title of the season (they also won the Italian Super Cup)."

From Cindy Garcia-Bennett
FIBA, Rome