A face-to-face with a view of the Scudetto. Roma e Juventus they meet again for the umpteenth challenge (18 pm), one of the most heartfelt of the Italian championship which, due to a joke of the calendar, is already played in August. But this does not affect the importance of the classification, on the contrary.
It was the Giallorossi and Bianconeri who further enriched it with the results of the first day, which make the match at the Olimpico impossible for both to make a mistake. “In Italy it is special to play such an important challenge on the second day – the thought of Garcia at the press conference. – We will try to win and to do so we will also exploit our audience”.
“They will have their teeth poisoned because they come from two consecutive second places – the words of Allegri. – This is one of the most heartfelt matches in the championship, between two teams that have all it takes to win it”.
It seems like an eternity has passed since October 5, 2014, when Juventus-Roma turned into an uproar full of controversy and forbidden shots, on the pitch and in the press room. Today instead, thanks to the summer weather, the air is completely different and who knows if this, in addition to the referee Rizzoli, could not be good for the players too. Because until now the Giallorossi and Bianconeri have certainly not enchanted, as evidenced by the draw (in comeback) of the former in Verona and the (sensational) defeat of the latter at home against Udinese. Today, winning will be the only thing that matters, as always.
“I want to see a Roma with strong rhythms, just like after the goal conceded at Bentegodi – continued Garcia. – We will have to play as if we were underscore. Juve have changed a lot but they remain a top-level team, then clearly the results will definitively judge the transfer market”.
The same that keeps Allegri anxious, still waiting for a quality reinforcement between the midfield and the attack. Yesterday afternoon it seemed made for Julian Draxler, then the cold shower, or at least lukewarm: Wolfsburg entered the German. Negotiations therefore blocked, with Juve determined to wait until tonight at the latest. In the meantime, the Tuscan coach will be able to count on Alex Sandro, Cuadrado and Morata, absent against Udinese, even if, at least initially, the choices should follow those of last Sunday. Apart from Coman (the Frenchman was loaned to Bayern Munich with the right to buy), the anti-Roma men will be almost those.
So space for a 3-5-2 with Buffon in goal, Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini in defense, Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Padoin, Pereyra and Evra in midfield, Mandzukic and Dybala in attack, with the latter in his first starting position with the shirt black and white. A few more doubts for Garcia, who will decide definitively after this morning's finishing touches. His 4-3-3 should see Szczesny in goal, Maicon, Manolas, Castan and new signing Digne in defense, Nainggolan, De Rossi and Pjanic in midfield, Salah, Dzeko and Florenzi in attack. However, if Torosidis were to recover, the full-back from PSG could end up on the bench, a bit like Florenzi if Garcia opted for the former Genoa player Iago Falque.
In short, a guaranteed show, as can be seen from the approximately 60 spectators who will fill the stands of the Olimpico (about 1500 Juventus fans). All in the hope that it will be an afternoon of celebration, regardless of the result.
