The game that is worth the turning point. Atalanta-Juventus (20.45 pm) is a real play-off for the fourth, with the bianconeri who would place themselves in the Champions League area by winning, also canceling the Nerazzurri's bonus of having one match less. However, it is clear that a positive result would also authorize a few more thoughts, in light of the draw in Naples which further shortens the distances from the top, which are still important at the moment.
“It's a direct match for fourth place, but it won't be decisive because Atalanta have one game left – Allegri glossed over -. It's important, beautiful to play, a good pass for our ambitions, it will be difficult because Atalanta have shown in recent years that they have conquered a place to fight for the top four positions. It's a physical team, she will be very upset about theelimination in the Italian Cup, we will have to put in a top-level performance”.
In short, no flight of fancy, at least publicly. In private, in fact, it is probable that the coach is raising the bar match after match, especially after the January market, which he has strengthened the squad beyond any reasonable expectation. Up front then there will be an Atalanta in great difficulty, returning from double defeat against Cagliari and Fiorentina which gave a severe blow to morale, just like Zapata's injury, forced to pit until the end of the season. In short, the moment is very delicate and a defeat against Juve could prove fatal, even though Gasperini has already demonstrated several times that he always knows how to get the best out of him.
The technician, in press silence in protest after Thursday's refereeing episodes, he knows well that he is starting underdog, the opposite scenario to the first leg, when the roles were totally reversed. Since Allegri he has found the right path, the rest has been done by the arrivals of Vlahovic and Zakaria, who have already become essential for the team. It is no coincidence that the coach will opt for the 4-3-3 tonight too, with Szczesny in goal, Danilo, Bonucci, De Ligt and De Sciglio in defense, Locatelli, Zakaria and Rabiot in midfield, Dybala, Vlahovic and Morata in attack. On the other hand, many problems for Gasperini, who in addition to the aforementioned Zapata will have to do without the injured Palomino, Ilicic and Miranchuk and the suspended Musso: his 3-4-1-2 will thus see Rossi between the posts, Toloi, Demiral and Djimsiti in the back department, Zappacosta, De Roon, Freuler and Maehle in the midfield, Pessina behind the offensive duo made up of Malinovskyi and Muriel.
The direct clash in Bergamo is also important for the Roma, called to redeem the latest disappointments on the insidious field of Sassuolo (18pm). The opportunity to score a few points is tempting, but the Giallorossi's success is far from obvious, partly due to the valor of the Emilians, who are able to assert themselves even on Thursday in Turin, partly due to the limitations shown throughout the season. And then there are the usual controversies fueled by yet another Mourinho outburst against his players, confirmed by the coach himself at the press conference. “What they say in the dressing room stays there, but I can't say it's not true – he admitted -. But it's a big lie that someone took offense, no one did. To play in Serie C or B or soccer you need to have personality, if someone is offended I apologize. Perticone? The players have told me that they like the way I work, there are no secrets with me, they don't want me to change."
Today we will see if the team will be able to have the right reaction, even if it lacks two important elements such as Zaniolo (suspended) and Ibanez. The Giallorossi 4-2-3-1 will be made up of Rui Patricio in goal, Maitland-Niles, Mancini, Smalling and Vina in defense, Oliveira and Pellegrini in midfield, Felix, Mkhitaryan and El Shaarawy in the frontline, Abraham in attack. However, Dionisi has the biggest problems, forced to give up both Scamacca and Raspadori: his 4-3-3 will thus see Consigli between the posts, Muldur, Chiriches, Ferrari and Rogerio in the back department, Frattesi, Lopez and Henrique in the median, Berardi, Defrel and Traoré in the offensive trident.
He has already done his duty instead Sarri's Lazio, smiled again after the victory over Bologna. A 3-0 without history that of the Olimpico, propitiated by the usual Immobile (his penalty that unlocked the result in the 13th minute) and by a Zaccagni in great shape, capable of scoring twice (53' and 63') also thanks to the assists of Luis Alberto and Lazzari. In short, a beautiful Lazio, back close to the Juventus-Atalanta duo and ready to reap the benefits of the direct clash. “We did one good race, but we had to be tougher already in the first half because there was the feeling of being able to close it earlier – Sarri's analysis -. We joked by dribbling too much, then we decided it at the start of the second half. In the last three months we have always done well except in the games we lost against Sassuolo, Inter and in the last one in the Coppa Italia against Milan where there was a blackout, but this is no longer a team that plays one good and one bad match”. Only time will tell if this is actually the case, but in the meantime it's time to enjoy today's day, capable of directing the race for Europe in one direction or another.
