Redazione Volleyball.it
Editorial – by Luca Muzzioli
Keita: Is Italy the same as France?
I know this is a controversial topic—and tackling it so directly may feel awkward, even counterproductive “for the cause.” But a national team cannot be treated like a club, or governed by the same transfer-market logic. National teams are, by definition, about identity. Past Italian naturalisations generally had recognisable “national” foundations: language, everyday life, families rooted in Italy. Some cases may have been stretched, but over time they became embedded.
The interview given by Noumory Keita—who speaks French and English—to Corriere dello Sport on Saturday, 31 January doesn’t actually add much to what was already known. And that may be exactly the point. Verona’s standout speaks little, chooses his words carefully, and stays vague. The caution is clear, and probably not accidental, considering the sensitivity of the issue that has followed him for months: the possibility of obtaining Italian citizenship and, as a consequence, becoming eligible for Italy.
Keita denies nothing, but confirms nothing. When asked about naturalisation, he answers with a half-joke—"maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not"—pushing everything into an undefined future. No stance, no clear horizon. An “expect-and-see” line that can be read as prudence, or as a deliberate choice not to commit.
But when the conversation shifts to other options, the picture becomes clearer. Keita admits he has “many offers” and, when asked about France, answers without hesitation: yes, that is also a possibility. Italy and France are mentioned on the same level—equivalent alternatives. And this is where, despite saying very little, the player reveals quite a lot: at least right now, one national team seems to be worth as much as another.
It’s not a loud or polemical statement—if anything, it’s neutral, said without emphasis. Precisely for that reason, it carries weight. Because if Italy is only one possible option—not a desired destination—the naturalisation debate changes perspective. It becomes not just technical or bureaucratic, but identitarian.
From a sporting standpoint, Keita remains a remarkable profile. The numbers and his impact in SuperLega speak for themselves. Even in that interview, his real focus is on the club: the Scudetto, the Coppa Italia, shared ambitions with Verona. That’s where he shows clarity and conviction. On Italy, instead, only a generic acknowledgement: “It’s a great team, there are strong players.” Nothing beyond what any elite foreign player in the league might say.
And inevitably the question expands. From a purely sporting perspective, do we really need an “Italian” like this—someone for whom wearing the Azzurri jersey doesn’t represent a natural destination, but simply one option among many? Or is this just an excess of honesty, perfectly consistent with the times we live in, where belonging is fluid and choices are legitimately personal?
Keita promises nothing, but he hides nothing. He doesn’t build a narrative, doesn’t wink at the audience, doesn’t “play Italian” while waiting for a passport. He says little, but what he says is clear: today his priority is winning with his club. The rest will come later. Italy or France—we’ll see.
And it’s exactly that “we’ll see” that creates the final question—uncomfortable, perhaps, but necessary. The issue isn’t whether Keita would be useful: technically, he would. The issue is whether a national team like Italy—history, culture, identity—truly needs someone for whom wearing blue doesn’t make all that much difference.
Transfer market
Allianz Milano: possible shake-up on the bench and key roles
Rumours in Poland are growing around Roberto Piazza potentially taking over in Warsaw next season. The coach reportedly denied having already signed a contract—while not denying contacts. If the move happens, it would come one year before the natural end of his current agreement, meaning the Polish club would have to pay compensation to Milano.
The situation is unusual because Milano are said to have already shaped the 2026 roster based on the current coach’s indications. Any replacement, therefore, could inherit a squad already built along a defined technical line.
On the roster side, uncertainty remains: lucrative offers from Turkey are reported for Brazilian setter Fernando Kreling. With Ferre Reggers already expected to move to Sir Susa Vim Perugia, the scenario would force Milano to rebuild the setter–opposite axis entirely—another potential “reset” in both structure and planning.
Giulia Angelini to Indonesia
Outside hitter Giulia Angelini (28, born 26 February 1997 in Borgomanero) is set to leave Italy’s A2 and SMI Roma Volley to continue the 2025/26 season in Indonesia with Bandung Bank BJB, competing in the Proliga.
A1 Women: Honda Cuneo Granda Volley parts ways with François Salvagni
With four matches left in the regular season, Honda Cuneo Granda Volley have decided to separate from head coach François Salvagni, looking for an immediate jolt in a standings situation that leaves little room for hesitation.
Recent results weighed heavily: four straight losses, all 0–3, with performances reflecting a team struggling to sustain intensity and pressure. The decision also reopens comparisons with the earlier slump (seven consecutive defeats between November and December), when the club chose continuity, citing physical issues on the wings. Later wins against Monviso and Perugia seemed to justify that approach. Now the crisis has returned with a sharper technical and mental impact.
The staff of Fabio Tisci, Paola Cardullo and Paola Paggi will be tasked with stabilising the group quickly: tightening hierarchies, reducing errors, and restoring confidence in a team that must score points immediately—without margin for wasted opportunities.
A2 Men: Prisma Taranto Volley sign Guilherme Maia
Prisma Taranto Volley announced the signing of Portuguese setter Guilherme Maia (born 24 May 2002 in Espinho; 185 cm) for the remainder of the A2 Credem Banca season. He joins the setter group alongside Matteo Lusetti and the young Maiorano, and is expected to integrate immediately.
His path includes significant experience with AA Espinho and a 2023/24 season in France with Cambrai Volley, plus national-team appearances at the Universiade in Berlin and experience with Portugal’s senior beach volleyball setup.
In his first words after the move, Maia said: "I’m happy to join Taranto: my expectations are to help the team reach its collective goals and, personally, to improve in this outstanding league thanks to my teammates and the coach."
SuperLega news
Del Monte Coppa Italia: curtain up in Bologna—Sunday final already sold out
Bologna is set to host the Final Four at Unipol Arena on 7–8 February 2026. The key headline from the official presentation: the Sunday final (8 February, 18:00, live on Rai Sport) is already sold out, and the 2026 edition has reportedly set a new all-time revenue record for a men’s volleyball Final Four.
Saturday’s semi-finals schedule: Itas Trentino vs Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza at 15:30, followed by Rana Verona vs Sir Susa Vim Perugia at 18:00.
Among the institutional voices, Lega president Massimo Righi highlighted Bologna’s long-standing link with the event and the ticket response, while Matteo Piano referenced the value of new storytelling formats around the competition.
Del Monte Supercoppa: season tickets available for Trieste Final Four
The league confirmed that season tickets are on sale via Vivaticket for the Del Monte Supercoppa Final Four in Trieste (28 February–1 March). Semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday; the final is on Sunday at 15:00 (Rai 2).
Weekend records: Cucine Lube Civitanova win in Verona; Sir Susa Vim Perugia dominant at the net
Civitanova won 3–0 away in Verona, led by Aleksandar Nikolov with 20 points and the MVP award. In Padova, Perugia produced a standout figure: 21 kill blocks in four sets, with Agustín Loser contributing five blocks.
The weekend also featured several individual milestones: Sebastián Solé reached 200 appearances in Lega competitions with Perugia; Filippo Lanza hit 400 SuperLega matches; Eric Loeppky and Mattia Bottolo passed 1,500 SuperLega attack points; and Gabriele Di Martino crossed 1,000 career league points.
Medical update – Sir Susa Vim Perugia
Yuki Ishikawa underwent an MRI on his right knee after landing awkwardly during the first set in Padova. Team doctor Giuseppe Sabatino reported the scan showed a right-knee sprain-related issue. On the morning of February 3, Ishikawa is scheduled for a specialist orthopaedic evaluation with Prof. Auro Caraffa and staff.
