The chase starts again. Juventus aims to start 2016 just like they finished 2015, i.e. with a victory which, at best, would allow them to catch whoever is in front of them and, at worst, to stay attached to the Scudetto train. In this sense, the Befana brought a rather sweet package of coal, that Verona of Delneri last in the standings and still without victories since the beginning of the championship.
“We mustn't underestimate him, he has found solidity again and is going through a good moment – warned Allegri. – The hardest thing is to put the plug back on but we've worked well these days, we have to avoid mistakes and push on the accelerator”. Not that his parents aren't doing it: the 7 consecutive victories collected up to the break prove it better than any speech.
But the Juventus coach hasn't forgotten Carpi's final minutes, which brought the nightmares of the beginning of the season back to life, when the so-called little ones snatched several points from his team. “Let's hope they serve us as a lesson – sighed Allegri. – We have already paid the price with many teams, now we can no longer afford missteps because we are late and we just have to win”.
We will therefore start again from the pre-Christmas certainties, with the exception of the injured Barzagli and Mandzukic, who will follow the match from the stadium grandstand. The now indispensable 3-5-2 will thus see Buffon in goal, Rugani, Bonucci and Chiellini in defense, Lichtsteiner, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba and Evra in midfield, Dybala and Morata in attack. But beware of last-minute ballots: Cuadrado and Alex Sandro threaten Lichtsteiner and Evra and even Zaza has some hope of playing in Morata's place.
Opposite there will be Verona bottom in the standings, only partially regenerated by the arrival of Delneri. Since the coach, also a former Juventus player, took Mandorlini's place, there have been two draws (Milan and Sassuolo) and one defeat (Empoli): not bad in itself but too little to aim for salvation. The away match in Turin is certainly not ideal for obtaining their first victory in the league but the yellow and blues are at least forced to try.
Delneri will do it with the 4-2-3-1 already seen other times: Gollini in goal, Pisano, Bianchetti, Moras and Souprayen in defense, Hallfredsson and Viviani in midfield, Wszolek, Ionita and Siligardi on the trocar behind the lone striker tones. Only bench instead for Pazzini, possibly ready to take over during the game.
