The final match at the PalaSerradimigni is Sunday at 5:00 p.m. against Virtus Bologna, league leaders since the opening round and currently celebrating their 17th Scudetto. Winger Mauro Ceron responded: "Ceron: We know it's a do-or-die game. If we win, we'll give ourselves another chance at survival; if we lose, our championship is over. That's why I expect a lot of desire and energy to overcome this obstacle, overcoming a team with a stronger roster than us."

On paper, there's no contest: away from home, the Italian champions have won 11 of their 13 games, more than Sassari have managed to accumulate so far. Sassari is last on 14 points, with just 7 victories and hasn't won in six matchdays.

On the other hand, there's no choice. Defeat means relegation, victory means risking staying in Serie A in the final round, in Brescia, to catch up with Cantù or overtake Treviso. "It's not easy to train these days, but I've seen disappointment and determination. I think there's the anger to prove we're not the same as we were recently. We need to play a game of character."

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