Tatsunobu Otsuka returns from injury and makes his late debut in Italy! However, the team suffers a bitter defeat (against Verona in the 5th round of the first half)

On Sunday, October 27th local time, in the fifth round of the first half of the Italian Superlegga, Milan, where Tatsunori Otsuka plays, faced Verona and lost 1-3 (25-17, 24-26, 22-25, 28-30).

Milan took the lead in the first set with Kaziyski's three service aces, but struggled to attack from the second set onwards. Meanwhile, Verona allowed Keita to receive serves, allowing him to fully demonstrate his scoring ability, winning three sets in a row to achieve a comeback victory.

In the second and fourth sets, the game was tied until deuce, and Milano had chances, but they couldn't get the last point. In particular, both outside hitters (Kaziyski and Ruati) lacked decisiveness. It's tough having only one side attacker, the opposite, Regers, who can always be relied on. I think the setter, Pollo, is also under a lot of stress.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited return of Otsuka. In this match, he only replaced Kaziyski in the backline, but it seemed like he played his role well. I hope he continues to play in the frontline. If he keeps up this performance, Otsuka can probably be in the starting lineup. He can become a hero.

Verona's Keita is a monster after all. He concedes a lot of goals, but his scoring ability is still amazing. His height is also insane. If he can reduce the number of goals he concedes, he can really become a top attacker. But it's hard to imagine Keita without his roughness (lol).

Milan
Starting lineup: S. Porro (4), OH Ruati (15), MB Schnitzer (9), OP Regels (18), OH Kaziyski (13), MB Kaneschi (5), L. Catania
Substitutes: OP Ballot (1), L Staforini, MB Laritza, S Zonta, OH Otsuka

Verona
Starting line-up: OH Javoronok (15), MB Vitelli (4), OP Jensen (2), OH Keita (31), MB Cortesia (9), S Abaev (0), L D'Amico
Substitutes: OH Sani (9), S Spirito, MB Dzinger, OH Mojic

MVP: OH Noumori Keita
31 points (3 on serve), attack efficiency rate 24.071 TP3T

OH Tatsunobu Otsuka
Substitute appearances: 0 goals

Detailed match stats here:
https://www.legavolley.it/match/38230

Next match: November 3rd (Sun) 24:00~ vs Piacenza

Broadcast: VBTV, FOD (Perugia match only)

Photo: legavolley.it