Other than New Years! Here it is the bang at the start of 2014, with Juventus and Roma ready to challenge each other in what, for everyone, is now the Scudetto match. The standings speak for themselves: they are the first in the class, and if a success by the Giallorossi could reopen play for Napoli as well, one of the Bianconeri would seriously risk sending this title to the attic as well. “This match is worth three points, like the others – Antonio Conte explained. – If we win we will then have to do the same next week against Cagliari. Let's remember that, until some time ago, we were -5 from Roma and then we recovered 10 points. As we have done it, others can do it too”. Of the same opinion also Rudi Garcia, calm and serene as always in front of the microphones. “This match won't be decisive – said the Frenchman. – However it goes, there will still be the entire second round to play, with many points up for grabs. Sure, it's better to win in Turin, that's for sure."
The classification therefore, but not only. Because since football has existed, Juve-Roma has always been a separate game, even when the teams don't fight for the same goals. We are far from the furious controversies of the Boniperti-Viola era, and we are not even jokingly close to the times of Moggi-Sensi-Zeman, but even this eve was enriched by no small amount of teasing. De Rossi and, above all, Totti took the lead, launching the usual accusation: "Juve are strong, but they also win thanks to the help from the referees". Words that Antonio Conte did not like at all, always ready to defend the black and white lady on the front line. “I take it for a laugh, it's right to react like this in the face of the chatter from the bar and from the fans – the technician replied cryptic. – There are no answers to give to those who make this type of statement, except in the field. I teach those who work with me that the field always does justice in the end. And we, on the pitch, have been the strongest team for two and a half years, sometimes even sensationally". "Poor" Rizzoli will also have appreciated Garcia's answer, not inclined to polemics as an end in itself: "On the field there will be two great teams and an excellent referee, the better one will win". The two technicians respect each other, on the other hand it could not be otherwise, since we are talking about two real specialists in the sector. It is no coincidence that both tried to play pre-tactics: Conte speaking of three doubts ("I have to evaluate the situations of Barzagli, Pirlo and Tevez"), Garcia hiding the attack ("for formation you will have to wait for the pre-game"). In reality, the Juventus coach decided to field the best formation, thus inserting all the aforementioned players from the first minute, despite some undeniable problems. In fact, the defender has the usual tendon problem, the midfielder hasn't played since last December 1, the attacker returned to Turin late due to his wife's health problems. However, Conte wants them on the pitch, for the most classic of the 3-5-2: Buffon in goal, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini in defense, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah in midfield, Tevez, Llorente in attack. On the Rome front, however, there is actually a doubt up front: together with Totti and Gervinho, one of Florenzi (favourite), Destro and Ljajic could play. However, the rest of the squad is certain, with De Sanctis in goal, Maicon, Benatia, Castan, Dodò in defence, Pjanic, De Rossi and Strootman in midfield.
"We go to Turin to win and not because we will be facing Juve, but because we always do this" Garcia's proclamation, "The field will speak, chatter is zero" the equally threatening Conte. In short, a big match eve, now all that remains is to enjoy the game. Hoping that the field show is just as pyrotechnic.
