Genoa watershed of the Scudetto. Temporal forcing aside (no match can be really decisive in December), Sampdoria and Genoa will face Juventus and Roma, respectively first and second in the standings. A good test bench for everyone, for the big names who will have to contend with two teams in form and on the wings of enthusiasm and for the Genoese, called to demonstrate that they are not up there by chance. We will start with Juventus-Sampdoria (12.30), a very interesting match for a whole series of reasons. The bianconeri come from the Champions League and this week they will be forced into overtime against Cagliari (Thursday 18), in the forced anticipation of the Italian Super Cup on 22. "There mustn't be any drops in tension, we would risk throwing away the good things done so far – the thought of Massimiliano Allegri. – It will be difficult to score against the Sampdoria, they are good at set pieces and have nothing to lose. The recipe for beating them consists in playing flawlessly, allowing few restarts and playing well technically". A decidedly more pyrotechnic conference on the Samp front, where Sinisa Mihajlovic, in her usual festival of quotations, also paraphrased Sergio Leone. “During the week I saw a good film, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly – the words of the Serbian coach. – One joke said “I like guys like you, big and fat, who make a lot of noise when they fall”. Here, at the Stadium I would like to hear a lot of noise…”. In short, the blucerchiati are preparing a trick, on the other hand they were the last ones to violate the Lady's house. It was January 6, 2013, Sampdoria with 10 men managed to overturn Giovinco's initial goal with Icardi's brace. Other times, in fact since then Juve have plowed through any opponent. Today he will try to confirm himself with the typical formation, postponing the pre Super Cup turnover to the match against Cagliari. So space for the best defense, obviously net of the numerous absences: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Ogbonna (Chiellini is disqualified) and Evra. In midfield it's time for Pirlo to rest, with Marchisio in the control room, Pogba and Vidal inside and Pereyra behind Tevez and Morata (favorite over Llorente). Mihajlovic will respond with a chameleonic 4-3-3: Romero in goal, Cacciatore, Gastaldello, Romagnoli and Mesbah in defense, Rizzo, Palombo and Obiang in midfield, Soriano, Okaka and Eder in attack.
The second round of Genoa vs Scudetto will take place a few hours later. At 15 pm Marassi will turn the spotlight on Genoa-Roma, a very delicate match for the Giallorossi, called to get up after the European fall. Up front will be Gasperini's team, back from 9 consecutive useful results (the last defeat, apart from the Italian Cup, dates back to the derby on 28 September) in which the recent success against Milan stands out. “We are not tired, we had 4 days to recover – Garcia thought. – After the defeat against City we were all disappointed, but now it's time to move on. We have a difficult match to face against the third in the standings, a good test, that's all we can say: our future lies here”. Needless to say how much the Roman environment fears this match. In fact, a misstep, in addition to possible repercussions in the standings, would lead to further nervousness in a city already shaken by the latest disappointments. “If we take away the match against Juventus we only lost in Naples – the French coach defended himself, not without the usual veil of controversy that has recently characterized him. – We will not be the only ones, there can be no talk of failure”. In any case, a victory is needed this afternoon, which Garcia will try to get with the usual 4-3-3. In defense, with Maicon and Manolas not at their best, Florenzi, Yanga Mbiwa, Astori and Holebas will play, in midfield space for Pjanic, Keita and Nainggolan (De Rossi is disqualified), in attack the trident already seen with City has been confirmed: Gervinho, Totti and Ljajic. On the Genoa front, much respect but no fear. “I wouldn't sign for a draw – Gasperini's speech. – The matches are played until the 95th minute and the victory against Juventus proves it. We are not referees of the championship but of ourselves: we will play with a free mind and in the best conditions”. The coach will attack Roma with a 4-3-3: Perin in goal, Roncaglia, De Maio, Izzo and Antonelli in defense, Rincon, Bertolacci, Sturaro and Antonelli in midfield, Perotti, Matri and Iago Falque in attack.
