Welcome back championship! Serie A is back after the summer holidays and it does it with a bang: Parma-Juventus (18pm) and Fiorentina-Naples mean entertainment and fun, but above all reigning champion and first challenger straight away. In fact, the market is still very open, reaffirmed past hierarchies but with a rather interesting rapprochement of values, at least for observers. There is a lot of curiosity for Sarri's first official Juventus even if he, due to the now well-known pneumonia, will not be there. Furthermore, the former Chelsea coach will also miss next Saturday's direct match, a big problem for those who are trying to learn a "new" football, far from Allegri's five-year automatisms.
“Pneumonia is a serious matter and must be treated well – glossed Nedved at the press conference. – We know that we will face critical issues but also in 2012/13, with Conte as coach, we had to do without the coach on the bench for some time. We know what awaits us and we are ready”. A good start would be essential, otherwise the doubts of critics and fans about this new Juventus course would become difficult to manage. However, it is difficult to immediately expect Sarri's Juve and not only for the aforementioned pneumonia. The Lady is an open construction site and it will be like this until 2 September, the day the market closes, which is why these two matches before the break, starting with today's one at the Tardini, will have to be evaluated above all for the results.
“I'd like the market to close before it starts but it doesn't, so many things can still happen – reiterated Nedved. – Juve has historically always been built to win and this too makes no difference, we have bought several players and we are convinced that we have strengthened ourselves compared to last year. There have been important changes and therefore it is possible there are some difficulties, but we feel ready to continue winning". The hunt for the ninth championship therefore starts again today, on a pitch that Juve has historically always suffered. Sarri, in the person of deputy Martusciello, will field a 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, Danilo, Bonucci (favorite over De Ligt), Chiellini and Alex Sandro in defense, Khedira, Pjanic and Rabiot in midfield, Douglas Costa, Dybala ( ahead of Higuain) and Ronaldo in attack.
The injured Ramsey and the departing Rugani, by now destined for Rome, will not be in the match. Same game system also for D'Aversa, who will respond with Sepe in goal, Laurini, Iacoponi, Bruno Alves and Gagliolo in the back, Hernani, Brugman and Barillà in the midfield, Kulusevski (favorite over Karamoh), Inglese and Gervinho in the trident offensive. Filed the opening challenge of the Tardini it will be time to move to Florence, where Montella's Fiorentina will receive Ancelotti's Napoli. It goes without saying that the match promises sparks and pits two of the most interesting teams in the league against each other: on one side the Azzurri candidates for the title, on the other the Viola refreshed by the latest market hits, Ribery above all.
However, Ancelotti is the most eagerly awaited, if only because De Laurentiis, unlike in other years, put several quality signings in his hands (Manolas and Lozano in particular) but without giving up anyone: his Napoli, although starting behind Juve, can no longer hide. “It's a well-made market so far, onerous for the club and I won't hide it, but we've talked about it a lot and despite the difficulties, the objectives have been achieved – acknowledged the coach with satisfaction. – Qualitatively we are stronger, then the field will judge but for me the team has the qualities to win, it is a responsibility that I take on".
The first real change compared to last year will be tactical, given that Ancelotti will leave the 4-4-2 in the attic for a much more offensive 4-2-3-1 with Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Koulibaly, Manolas and Ghoulam in defense, Allan and Fabian Ruiz in midfield, Callejon, Zielinski and Insigne in the frontline, Mertens in attack (Milik not called up due to muscle strain, Lozano unavailable due to bureaucratic issues). A lot of curiosity also for Montella's Fiorentina, who went from the depression of last May (salvation on the last day and protest against the Della Valle) to the euphoria brought about by Commisso. If Chiesa's confirmation had given a positive signal, the purchase of Ribery he literally made the purple people go crazy with joy, they ran to subscribe as in the old days and are ready to fill the Franchi already this evening, in the hope of experiencing a season as protagonists.
“The passion of the fans didn't surprise me, after all the club did a great job: we want to give the team a precise identity and make people identify with it – Montella's words. – Let's meet one of the strongest opponents right away, we'll need a great game from everyone. Ribery? He is behind but he convinced me at the first word, he wants to be competitive and lend a hand to others. I decided to summon him right away and I hope there is the possibility of making him play already with Napoli”. The Frenchman will therefore start from the bench, with the idea of taking over the 4-3-3 with Dragowski between the posts, Lirola, Milenkovic, Pezzella and Terzic in the back, Benassi, Badelj and Pulgar in the midfield, Chiesa, Boateng and the young Sottil promise in the offensive trident.
