Back
Pallacanestro Forlì 2.015 prepares to face Real Sebastiani Rieti at the Palafiera following a season-opening defeat to Avellino, ForlìToday reported. Head coach Francesco Nanni described the setback as a useful learning curve for a squad aiming to tighten its performance across all 40 minutes.
Forlì opened its campaign with high expectations before running into a physical Avellino squad on the road. Reflecting on the defeat in Campania, Nanni pointed out that the match exposed specific vulnerabilities regarding team physicality and lapses in concentration during regulation.
Reporting on the post-match assessment, Tuttoavellino noted that Nanni praised the host side’s determined play and acknowledged that his own group allowed too many straightforward scoring opportunities. Despite falling behind by as many as 19 points twice during the contest, Forlì mounted quick responses each time, shaving down the deficit in under twenty seconds to keep the game within reach.
Nanni noted that while the team navigated minor influenza issues during the week leading up to the upcoming home fixture, the roster has returned to full health.
Real Sebastiani Rieti arrives in Romagna riding a three-game winning streak, having secured victories over Caserta, Vigevano, and Pistoia under the direction of former Forlì coach Andrea Fabrizi. Rieti’s backcourt features floor general Eugenio Rota—averaging 4.7 assists per game—alongside top scorer Devondrick Green, who puts up over 19 points per contest.
Nanni highlighted the challenge posed by Rieti’s high-octane transition offense and defensive intensity, describing them as a side designed to throw “sand in the gears” of opposing offenses. Rieti’s frontcourt rotation includes American center Romello White, who anchors the paint with strong rebounding and shot-blocking presence, alongside contributors such as Niccolò Piccin and Giovanni Severini.
Rieti faces potential roster adjustments traveling to Palafiera, likely missing two players in the power forward rotation due to injuries.
Addressing Forlì’s reliance on perimeter shooting, Nanni explained that high-volume three-point shooting naturally carries statistical variance. The coach stressed that mental resilience is vital to prevent players from overthinking during shooting slumps, advocating instead for ball sharing to generate rhythm.
Nanni noted that maintaining this unselfish approach remains a primary objective as the team looks to protect its home-court undefeated streak against Rieti’s aggressive defensive pressure.