Concern for the results, appeal to the civility of the fans and trust in the project.
Luis Scola takes matters into his own hands. On the eve of the derby against Olimpia Milano, the CEO of Pallacanestro Varese replaces coach Herman Mandole in the press conference and gives a speech lasting almost half an hour. An intense and direct speech, which addresses the sporting difficulties and the recent off-field tensions, culminating in the polemical banners against him, in acts of vandalism inside the Itelyum Arena and in the announced strike of the Arditi, who will desert the challenge.
THE GENERAL’S RESPONSE
Scola doesn’t hold back, firmly replying to all the accusations, as he did on the parquet with his famous low post moves. To the polemical banners that accuse him of an “American approach” unsuitable for the reality of Varese, he responds bluntly: “We will give the places left by the Arditi to the children of minibasketball”. To the insinuation that the club is aiming for relegation he replies ironically: “Saying we want to relegate is like saying Coca Cola doesn’t want to sell any more cans”.
On the growing tension between fans and club, Scola invites reflection: “I think most fans don’t share these extreme behaviors. If anyone has personal problems with me, at the end of the season we will evaluate the corporate project, but our commitment to the club remains total.”.
THE REACTION OF ORGANIZED FANS
Following Scola’s declarations, the consortium’s position arrives Varese in the Heart and the fans of We Are Basketballwho reiterate their support for the club and the values of respect: “We accept criticism, but it must be expressed clearly and without forgetting who we are and what we represent”. This appeal attempts to counteract the rift between the different souls of the fans, already evident between the Arditi and the rest of the supporters.
HIGH VOLTAGE DERBY
The match against Olimpia Milano arrives in a heated atmosphere, on and off the pitch. Between fears of relegation and the media hype amplified by social media, the derby promises to be a decisive test for the future of Scola’s project. Even if beating the Messina battleship seems unlikely, a victory could temporarily calm things down.
However, the impression remains that Luis Scola’s words have dug a deep furrow within the fans. With 19 games still to be played and the standings worrying, the General is preparing to lead the team and the corporate project through troubled waters, aware that only results will be able to restore serenity.
