Since Sunday evening, Italian football has unanimously repeated that the Scudetto is in the hands of Juve and that at this point only they could lose it. This excites the Juventus fans, but it doesn't please Antonio Conte at all: “Let's keep our feet on the ground, you only have to celebrate when you have something in hand. Whoever wins writes history, who comes second doesn't, this must be a fierce incentive for us ". Al Pacino Conte (copyright by Gattuso) never denies himself, not even now that the Scudetto dream is really one step away. Superstition aside (of which football is full), there are actually very valid reasons to postpone the celebrations: the Juventus coach was on the field on 14 May 2000, when the storm in Perugia took away a scudetto that seemed to have already been won, a wound that (partially) healed on 5 May 2002, the day of Inter's sporting suicide for the benefit of Juve. In short, the ominous precedents (depending on the point of view of course) are there, that's why Conte doesn't want his parents to underestimate the Cesena challenge: “They have always taught me that before speaking, you have to win. It's right that there are celebrations, because we're doing something extraordinary, but we'll have to be good at not being influenced by all this”.
Inevitably, however, Antonio Conte begins to unbutton himself, on the other hand after the extraordinary season of his parents it could not be otherwise: "It's nice to be +3, we've earned the bonus of a game away from Milan, now there are 5 finals to go. I am serene because my boys have always positively surprised me. We have passed extraordinary tests: from -7 to +3 in the standings, demonstrating maturity and personality. Fear must not exist for us, if I had any fear I would send negative messages to my players." Important words, which gratify the work of the players and technical staff, but when the compliments concern him (see unbeaten record), the Juventus coach returns to mock himself: "You see, being compared to coaches who have done something extraordinary like Bernardini, Capello or Lippi must fill us with pride, but these numbers will only have real value if we win. Otherwise, while remaining significant figures, they will not be remembered by anyone. In football, it's all about winning, that's all." A certain Gianpiero Boniperti also said it, which testifies to how high Conte's youth status is. Returning to the field, the coach will necessarily have to do some turnover, at least in attack. Quagliarella is disqualified and his place should be taken by Matri. If, as it seems, it will be 3-5-2 (but woe to rule out last minute surprises), the other novelty will be the use of Caceres, who should replace Lichtsteiner. Up front will be a desperate and almost relegated Cesena, who won't even be able to count on Mutu and Iaquinta, both in the pits due to injuries.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Cesena (4-3-1-2): Antonioli; Ceccarelli, Moras, Rodriguez, Comotto; Guana, Colucci, Parolo; Santana; Malonga, Rennella.
On the bench: Ravaglia, Lauro, Benalouane, Del Nero, Arrigoni, Filippi, Lolli.
Trainer: Mario Beretta.
Unavailable: Martinez, Pudil, Calderoni, Martinho, Mutu, Iaquinta.
Disqualified: Von Bergen.
Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Caceres, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Matri, Vucinic.
On the bench: Storari, Lichtsteiner, Padoin, Giaccarini, Pepe, Del Piero, Borriello.
Trainer: Antonio Conte.
Unavailable: nobody.
Disqualified: Quagliarella.
Referee: Marco Guida (Annunziata Tower).
Assistants: Petrella-DeLuca.
Fourth official: Bergonzi.
