In pursuit of Napoli. The 13th day, which began yesterday with a 1-1 draw between Udinese and Lecce, continues today with a terrific Saturday, in which the clash in Bergamo between Atalanta e Napoli. A very delicate match that could sanction another shot by the Azzurri in the Scudetto key, or record the first setback after a long time: the others, obviously, are hoping for the second scenario, starting with the Milan of Pioli, engaged in the evening at San Siro against lo Spezia and, more generally, grappling with a shift that seems favorable (tomorrow there will also be Juventus-Inter and Roma-Lazio).
Atalanta – Naples (18pm, Dazn)
All eyes on the Gewiss Stadium, where the top two forces in the championship will compete. Napoli e Atalantain fact, they are divided by only 5 points, but it is clear that a blue victory would dig a good furrow, further fueling the Scudetto dreams of the square. In short, an important occasion that Spalletti wants to exploit at all costs, even with the awareness that Bergamo is never an easy away game. On the other hand, Gasperini doesn't want to cease to amaze and hopes to be the first to beat the Azzurri (in Italy, given that Klopp has just succeeded).
Spalletti warns his team: "Match similar to Liverpool"
“There are many risks, it will take the awareness of being strong even if we came out of Anfield, in this sense, with this very certainty – the words of Spalletti -. This of Bergamo is a test that looks a lot like Liverpool, winning would be an important confirmation of the progress made so far, but I'm calm because the team continues to train very well. Quality and physical strength will be needed, they were built very well and then they have Gasperini, one of the most terrible veterans in the championship".
Gasperini: "They are very strong, but we want to stop them"
“Il Napoli he is very strong and he also showed it in Champions League, winning a really difficult group with teams of absolute value – he replied Gasperini -. His merits are there for all to see, if we want to achieve a positive result we will have to do something very important. With the Lazio we didn't play well, but apart from the Napoli everyone has run into some negative games: the fundamental thing will be not to give space, but without ducking too much in the defensive phase”.
Atalanta - Naples, the formations: Kvaratskhelia injured, it's up to Raspadori
Very interesting duel, in which, however, there will be one of the most awaited men: kvaratskhelia in fact, he has not even been called up due to an attack of acute low back pain which also puts him at risk for Tuesday's match against Empoli. Quite a problem for Spalletti, forced to do without the Georgian for the first time this season, except for the very rare times he was involved in the turnover. Luckily for him, however, the blue coach has several alternatives, even if without Kvicha he is missing a decisive element, capable of splitting matches with his repertoire of dribbling and shots. His 4-3-3 thus he will see Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Kim, Juan Jesus and Mario Rui in defense, Anguissa, Lobotka and Zielinski in midfield, Lozano, Osimhen and Raspadori in attack. Offensive problems, as since the beginning of the season, also for Gasperini, forced to deal with Muriel's muscle injury (he will return in January) and a Zapata still far from the best form. The 3-4-1-2 the Nerazzurri will thus see Musso between the posts, Toloi, Demiral and Djimsiti in the back, Hateboer, De Roon, Koopmeiners and Maehle in the midfield, Pasalic behind the offensive duo formed by Lookman and Hojlund.
Milan – Spezia (20.45 pm, Dazn, Sky Sport and Now TV)
Immediately after the match in Bergamo it will be the turn of the Milan, which he will receive at the San Siro lo Spezia by Gotti. A match to be won at all costs regardless of the result of Atalanta-Napoli, both to erase the defeat in Turin and not to waste a turn on the favorable card, in which all the others will face each other in direct cross matches. Wednesday's victory over Salzburg showed that the Rossoneri are physically fine, so it's probable that Sunday's knockout was just an episode, but to be absolutely sure, you need a strand from here to the break (after Spezia there will be Cremonese and Fiorentina), in order to go into "hibernation", in the worst case scenario, with a gap of 6 points from Napoli.
Milan - Spezia, the formations: Pioli focuses on Origi and Diaz
Pioli, yesterday in silence from the press, is well aware that now, after having achieved his first objective of the season, it is time to return to focus on the championship, resuming a march that was going well until Sunday anyway. The problem is that Napoli are flying, so we need to accelerate further in order not to risk losing too much ground: to do this, we need to be at the top first of all on an athletic level, which is why tonight there will be some changes compared to Wednesday, when the Devil spent a lot both physically and mentally. The 4-2-3-1 AC Milan he will see Tatarusanu in goal, Kalulu, Gabbia, Tomori and Hernandez in defence, Bennacer and Krunic in midfield, Messias, Diaz and Leao behind the lone striker Origi. Gotti, without victories in the league since 17 September (2-1 over Sampdoria, since then 4 defeats and a draw), will attempt the feat with a 3-5-2 with Dragowski between the posts, Ampadu, Kiwior and Caldara in the back, Holm, Bourabia, Ekdal, Agudelo and Reca in the midfield, Gyasi and Nzola in attack.
