Chieri eye comeback in crunch second leg of the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup final against Roma

One week ago, Roma Volley delivered a huge upset in the first leg of the final of the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup Women, taking a 3:2 win against Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri’76 after a nip-and-tuck match.

Now, the winners of the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup Women in the 2022/23 season and the winners of the CEV Volleyball Cup Women in the 2023/24 season have a mountain to climb, needing a perfect performance in the second leg, played on Roma’s court, scheduled for Tuesday, 11 March, at 20:00 CET.

Chieri were the big favourites heading into the final, especially as Roma were relegated this season from the Italian league, but they have lost four matches in a row in all competitions, including the first leg against Roma, as well as in the Italian league play-offs, 0:3, against Igor Gorgonzola Novara, on Sunday.

“A defeat that hurts. We were very motivated, but we didn't show it by taking to the field with the right energy. They, on the other hand, were very combative. We could and should have foreseen it, and we should have expressed our game from the beginning,” said Chieri’s Ilaria Spirito.

Roma’s win came even more surprising as they conceded four losses in the previous four matches and won only once in the first six matches between the two sides, as well as being the least experienced side in the final.

Nevertheless, shrugging off the thought of relegation, which was devastating in itself, saw Roma produce a fantastic performance, one of the best of the current season in the first leg, as they took the first and the third sets, 25:20 and 25:22.

Chieri, which had Avery Skinner score 21 points, bounced back in the second and the fourth sets, which they dominated, 25:17 and 25:18, but had little in the tank for the decider, in which Roma were clearly ahead, taking it 15:12.

But that does not change much, especially as Chieri would secure the title provided they win 3:0 or 3:1, with a 3:2 Chieri win seeing the final go into the golden set to decide the winner.

So far, Roma have won all the five matches played on their home court in the CEV Challenge Cup Women, dropping a single set, against E.S. Charleroi Volley, in the quarter-finals.

“A great satisfaction after the disappointment of relegation in the Italian league. A good result, but now let's stay calm because there is the return match. Chieri is a very strong team and will come to Rome more combative than ever,” said Michele Ciarrocchi, Roma’s coach.

Indeed, Chieri took two of the three away matches played in the last four years against Roma, 3:0, but the hosts of the second leg will surely aim to finish their season on a high, after winning only six of their 26 league matches this season.