Robertlandy Simón and José Miguel Gutiérrez Shine with Piacenza in Italian Superliga Semifinals

April 12, 2026

Cuban volleyball players Robertlandy Simón and José Miguel Gutiérrez are delivering standout performances for Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza in the Italian Volleyball Superliga semifinals, despite dropping two consecutive matches to Sir Susa Scai Perugia in the opening games of the series.

In Thursday's clash on April 9, Piacenza fell 1-3 to Perugia (18-25, 25-22, 20-25 and 20-25), with wing attacker Gutiérrez finishing as the team's second-highest scorer with 14 points, while middle blocker Simón contributed 12. The result mirrored the first match on April 6, also won by Perugia 1-3. The series continues on Sunday, April 12, at Piacenza's home court, where the Cubans will look to turn things around in front of their fans.

Veteran middle blocker Robertlandy Simón, born in Guantánamo on June 11, 1987, is one of the best in his position worldwide. With Cuba's national team he won the FIVB World League in 2005 and a silver medal at the 2010 World Championship, and has earned multiple individual honors including Best Blocker and Most Valuable Player at international tournaments. He has been with Piacenza since 2022, with whom he won the Italian Superliga and Italian Championship in the 2022–23 season.