Another round, another run. With the emotions of the 29th day still in circulation it is already time to think about the next one, obviously in midweek format. We start today with Milan-Udinese (19 pm) and Cagliari-Juventus (21), two luxury advances even if the most important, for ranking issues, is certainly that of San Siro. If in Sardinia, in fact, a match between two relatively calm teams will take place (both the rossoblu and the bianconeri are now very close to their respective goals), in Milan heavy points will be played for both the Champions League and for salvation.
It is above all Gattuso who cannot miss the appointment with the victory: the two defeats against Inter and Sampdoria have erased the margin built up in the previous two months and adding another would obviously create a lot of problems, especially since next Saturday it will be the complicated away match at Juve. The Rossoneri coach, after the winter praise, is back in the storm, partly because of the results and a lot because of the allusions about the future which, evidently, Leonardo didn't like, appearing rather cold about it. It should also be said that yesterday the Brazilian director spent the day at Milanello together with Maldini and Gattuso himself, in an attempt to restore confidence and unity to a team that appeared to be in decline both physically and mentally.
"The union with them cannot be questioned, we are all rowing on the same side even if I read many assumptions - the coach glossed over at the press conference - My only problem is to bring this club back to the Champions League and to do that you need to return to victory already with Udinese, it will be a fundamental match for us. In any case, I'm calm, perhaps someone will think I'm crazy but it's really like this: after all, we are alive, not dead…”.
To pick up the thread with the 3 points there will be some changes, certainly of men and, perhaps, also of form. The rumors from Milanello tell of 3-4-1-2 performances (Caldara in the central 3, the cautioned Bakayoko on the bench, Paquetà attacking midfielder behind the Cutrone-Piatek duo in attack), but also of a revisited 4-3-3 which would see Donnarumma in goal, Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli and Rodriguez in defense, Kessié, Bakayoko and Paquetà in midfield, Suso, Piatek and Calhanoglu in attack.
Tudor, back from the convincing victory over Genoa but without the suspended Stryger Larsen and Sandro, will respond with Musso between the posts, Ter Avest, Ekong, De Maio and Zeegelaar in the back, Fofana, Behrami and Mandragora in the midfield, Pussetto, Okaka and De Paul in the offensive trident.
Immediately after the San Siro match, the spotlights will move to Cagliari, where Maran's men will host the leaders Juventus. For Allegri it is a match of relative weight, especially with Milan and, above all, Ajax on the doorstep. Furthermore, the Juventus coach is grappling with several injured players and has no intention of taking risks: after all, his mind is already focused on Europe. The speech should be extended in particular to Cristiano Ronaldo, the most awaited man from all over the Juve world: the Portuguese will not be risked in the league but works hard to attempt a sensational return.
“It's difficult for him to make it but he's trying, we have to be confident – Allegri said – The match is still 9 days away, there's time to evaluate together. He is doing the things that he can do, you have to be careful and weigh the pros and cons ”.
In addition to CR7 and the usual long-term patients, Mandzukic and Dybala will be missing, which is why the lineup could reserve several surprises. The most accredited is a 3-5-2 with Szczesny in goal, Caceres, Bonucci and Rugani in defense, De Sciglio, Emre Can, Bentancur, Matuidi and Alex Sandro in midfield, Bernardeschi and Kean in attack.
The usual 4-3-1-2 instead for Maran, who will respond with Cragno between the posts, Cacciatore, Ceppitelli, Pisacane and Pellegrini in the back department, Faragò, Cigarini and Ionita in the midfield, Barella behind the offensive duo made up of Pavoletti and Joao Pedro.
