The calm before the storm. Roma and Juventus are preparing for the advances of the fifth day knowing that there will then be fireworks. Not that Verona and Atalanta are soft in an absolute sense, far from it, but they are certainly more affordable than Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, the next opponents of the Champions League. And then next Sunday there's the direct match, to be circled in red pencil as the first crossroads for the Scudetto. In short, today more than ever the hypothesis of bankruptcy is not to be contemplated, on pain of starting at a disadvantage in the face to face of the Stadium.
It starts with Roma (18 pm) who will receive Mandorlini's Verona at the Olimpico. Mangy team, not to be taken lightly, as Rudi Garcia recalled on the eve. “It's normal that we're already talking about the Champions League or something else but I only have Verona in mind – he explained in the press conference. – You have to give everything in every game, the positive dynamic depends on your performance, day after day. I also saw it in Parma, where the goal in the final gave us more energy”. In short, it is forbidden to get distracted, even by the celebrations. In fact, today is Captain Totti's birthday who, despite his performance on the pitch, turns 38. “We don't have to tell him how old he is, he thinks he's 28 – the Giallorossi coach joked (but not too much). – He is a huge player, a force of nature and an exemplary professional. Only an hour and a half before the match, however, you will know whether he will take the field from the start or not… ”. In reality, given the upcoming commitments with City and Juventus, it is almost certain that the captain will "celebrate" his birthday from the bench. In fact, Destro should be in his place, in a trident with Gervinho and Florenzi. In defense, compared to Parma, Holebas will return for a 4-man line with Torosidis, Yanga Mbiwa and Manolas. Obligatory choices in the middle of the field: with De Rossi and Strootman still out, Nainggolan, Keita and Pjanic will play.
The Saturday of the championship will then continue with Juventus, engaged in the insidious away match in Bergamo (20.45 pm). In reality, Atalanta at the beginning of the season doesn't seem to be able to worry the black and white army but Allegri doesn't want to drop in tension. “Winning in Bergamo is never easy, it will be a very difficult match for us – he explained on the eve. – Then they come from two defeats despite having played well, especially at home against Fiorentina. We will find difficulties and we know it but we are prepared. The three points are fundamental to face Atletico and Roma in the best possible way”. In fact, even in Turin there is a lot of talk about next week, that of the big matches against colchoneros and giallorossi. “We'll think about it from time to time” Allegri cut short, in the style of what his colleague Garcia did. However, it is logical that, even near Vinovo, one thinks of the turnover, despite the denials of the Juventus coach. Compared to the midweek against Cesena, Tevez and Pogba will return from the first minute, otherwise some rotation of men is inevitable. In defense the three-man Ogbonna-Bonucci-Chiellini line was confirmed, in midfield debut as owner for Romulo who will act together with Pogba, Marchisio, Vidal and Asamoah. In attack, in addition to the aforementioned Tevez, the debut should arrive from the first minute for Morata, who will thus give some breathing space to the opaque Llorente of recent times.
