Pielle Livorno delivered a commanding performance at home, dismantling the Legnano Knights 76-59 in a Serie B Basket clash that highlighted the hosts' defensive discipline and offensive efficiency. The victory, secured on May 9, 2026, at the PalaCosmelli, propelled Livorno further up the standings while exposing the Knights' struggles on the road.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Pielle Livorno set the tone with aggressive ball pressure and crisp ball movement. A 9-0 run midway through the first quarter gave the home side a lead they would never relinquish. Legnano Knights managed to trim the deficit to single digits in the second period, but Livorno responded with a 14-4 surge before halftime, entering the break with a 42-30 advantage.

Key Moments

• First-quarter dominance: Livorno shot 58% from the field in the opening period, building a 24-16 lead behind sharp shooting from guard Marco Rossi (18 points, 5 assists).
• Defensive stand in the third: The Knights cut the lead to 10 early in the third, but Livorno’s zone defense forced four consecutive turnovers, sparking a 12-2 run that pushed the margin to 20.
• Clutch free throws: With Legnano attempting a late rally in the fourth, Pielle converted 8 of 10 free throws in the final three minutes to seal the win.

Tactical Story

Livorno coach Fabio Betti emphasized controlling the paint, and his team responded with a 38-24 rebounding advantage and 16 second-chance points. The Knights, led by forward Alessio Bianchi (14 points, 7 rebounds), struggled to find rhythm against Livorno’s switching defense, committing 17 turnovers that led to 22 points for the hosts. Legnano’s perimeter shooting was also off, hitting just 4-of-19 from three-point range.

Standout Players

Beyond Rossi’s all-around contribution, center Luca Verdi recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring the interior defense. For the Knights, point guard Federico Nardi showed fight with 11 points and 6 assists, but his team lacked consistent secondary scoring.

Season Impact

The win moved Pielle Livorno to fourth in the Serie B Basket standings, strengthening their playoff positioning. The Knights, meanwhile, dropped to ninth, now two games out of the postseason places. Livorno will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face league leaders Montecatini on May 13, while Legnano return home to host an improving Omegna side.