A game to be won at all costs. For Lazio, forced to chase Roma and defend themselves against Napoli, for Sampdoria, fully involved in the Europa League tussle. In Marassi (20.45 pm) a real final will be staged, albeit with different stakes. In fact, the Biancocelesti are aiming for the Champions League, possibly from second in the standings, so as to avoid the insidious obstacle of the preliminaries, the Blucerchiati, on the other hand, want to defend sixth place from the attacks of Genoa and Inter and, why not, try to take the fifth place from Fiorentina.
“These will be fifteen decisive days, with many important matches in the same way – thought Stefano Pioli. – We will have three championship finals and one in the Italian Cup, without distinction”. The calendar is Lazio's biggest problem. Already very intense about him (after Sampdoria there will be Rome and Naples) he has been enriched by a further commitment, the final of the Italian Cup against Juventus originally scheduled for 7 June. But the European programs of the Lady have distorted the "scheduling", forcing the biancocelesti into a real tour de force, moreover without the slightest margin of error. Hence Lotito's request to postpone the derby by a couple of days, in an attempt to gain time and "fuel", to which, however, Roma, at least until yesterday evening, firmly opposed.
“When there is a Europa League match, the next one is always moved to Monday – explained Pioli. – I don't understand why the same can't be done after the Coppa Italia, if it was put on June 7 there was a reason…”. In reality, the question is a little more complicated than that: in fact, there are not only the Romanist resistances involved, but also the much more important ones of the Prefect and pay TV. The former has already made it known that the match, regardless of the date, cannot be played in the evening for reasons of public order, the latter turn up their noses at an afternoon derby on a weekday. Perspective which, moreover, would force many fans to give up the event… The hot potato is in the hands of the League, whose final decision should arrive today. Sampdoria doesn't have these problems and indeed they could take advantage of them.
“I'm calling the fans to the stadium because this is the match of the year – Sinisa Mihajlovic's speech. – So far it has been a great season but we are not full yet: the cake is ready, now we want to add the icing and eat it”. A lot of energy on the Sampdoria front, so much so that the coach even gave his team a day off. “At this point of the year everyone is cooked, not physically but mentally – he explained in the conference. – One more workout wouldn't have changed anything, in fact I think a little rest can only be good for you”.
Logical reasoning that Lazio, however, just can't afford. Pioli recovers De Vrij but only for the bench and in addition to the usual Cana and Biglia he has to give up the disqualified Marchetti and Mauricio. The biancoceleste 4-3-3 will thus see Berisha in goal, Basta, Ciani, Novaretti and Radu in defense, Parolo, Ledesma and Lulic in midfield, Candreva, Klose and Felipe Anderson in attack. Mihajlovic will respond with the classic 4-3-1-2: Viviano in goal, De Silvestri, Silvestre, Romagnoli and Regini in defense, Acquah, Palombo and Obiang in midfield, Soriano, Muriel and Eto'o in attack. Up for grabs is Europe, something big that would bring prestige to the seasons of Sampdoria and Lazio. However, only one, at 22.30 this evening, will be able to smile.
