This time it won't be a Scudetto challenge, but for 90 minutes it will be as if it were. Because when Milan and Juventus face each other, no one ever wants to lose, not even in summer friendlies. Imagine therefore when we are already in the advanced season, with a ranking that emerges more and more and a margin of error that decreases as a result. Whichever way you look at it, the standings allow no mistakes: to Milan, which must necessarily start winning and to Juve, which does not want to lose the advantage over its pursuers.
With these premises, the San Siro match (sold out as expected) is difficult to interpret. The Italian champions are certainly favourites, but the Rossoneri have shown signs of recovery. Anything can happen on the pitch, as long as the nerves stay put. In this sense, the direction of Mr. Rizzoli will be fundamental, designated to referee the most delicate match of the weekend.
Do you all remember what happened last year? Between Muntari's unseen goal and Matri's unjustly disallowed goal (plus a corollary of episodes that it is better to forget), there was talk of everything except football. The premises for a great game are all there, let's just hope they are not ignored.
HERE MILAN
Eventful eve in the Rossoneri house. As announced on Friday, Silvio Berlusconi met again at Milanello. The script was more or less the same as last week, with the arrival of the helicopter around lunchtime, training, chats with the players and the press.
The president talked about everything, starting with the Pato case, which on Friday he defined as a problem: “It's right to sip his attendance, but guaranteeing him that in the Milan environment he can find the maximum esteem, appreciation, affection and warmth. He has had a series of many, too many accidents, now he has come out of this negative series, but he must recover physical integrity and confidence. A loan to help his recovery? He didn't ask me, just in case we'll see. An exchange with Balotelli? I don't like trades."
The Knight outspoken, even on the Guardiola affair: “Who wouldn't want someone like Guardiola? But there are English clubs who insist, Manchester City in particular. We will be there, but it's difficult."
A full-fledged admission that will not have made Allegri happy, who however preferred to ignore and concentrate on Juventus. “Guardiola is not a problem that concerns me, I can't decide who will be the coach of Milan – declared the Rossoneri coach. – I only have to think about Sunday's match”. A match to be won, to give continuity to the positive results achieved in the last week: “We will have to play the perfect match from all points of view. Even if perfection doesn't exist. Juve have great physical strength and great individuality, moreover they come from an excellent match against Chelsea. We will have to know that we will face the strongest”.
To subvert the predictions, Allegri will bet again on the 4-3-3. The doubts concern the midfield, with the Nocerino-Emanuelson ballot and the attack, where in addition to the untouchable El Shaarawy (and the unavailable Pato) everyone is in the game for a shirt.
HERE JUVE
As many words from Milanello as silence from Vinovo. Not speaking before matches is now a well-known habit, more for a superstitious speech than for a real protest against the media. While awaiting Conte's return (which will probably coincide with the end of this absurd silence), Juve is preparing without distractions of any kind. Tonight's match is considered very delicate, both for the opponent (which the Bianconeri fear beyond the table) and for the possible "Chelsea effect".
In fact, Conte is afraid that his parents may have flat batteries after Tuesday's big game, which is why he has been putting the team under pressure more than usual in recent days. The manager is well aware that on paper his players are superior, as long as they don't lower the attention span.
Also because this time the infirmary creates a few too many problems. Chiellini's calf gives no respite, so Conte has decided not to call him up. An ugly tile, to which we must add the influence of Bonucci. The former Bari defender will be on the pitch regularly (he will reach his 100th appearance in the black and white shirt), but he certainly wasn't able to train at his best during the week.
Instead, to replace Chiellini there is a ballot between Caceres and Lucio, with the first favorite. For the rest it will be the typical Juve, with the midfield hinge Vidal-Pirlo-Marchisio, Isla and Asamoah on the wings and Vucinic up front. Doubt for the other attack shirt: who between Quagliarella and Giovinco will support the Montenegrin? Both are fine and come from important performances. Conte will only decide this morning, but the feeling is that the Neapolitan has the advantage.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
AC Milan (4-3-3): Have you; De Sciglio, Yepes, Mexes, Constant; Montolivo, De Jong, Nocerino; Robinho, Boateng, El Shaarawy.
On the bench: Amelia, Gabriel, Acerbi, Zapata, Emanuelson, Flamini, Niang, Bojan, Robinho.
Trainer: Massimiliano Allegri.
Unavailable: Strasser, Didac Vila, Muntari, Mesbah, Antonini, Traorè, Ambrosini, Abate, Bonera, Pato.
Disqualified: nobody.
Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres; Isla, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Vucinic, Quagliarella.
On the bench: Storari, Rubinho, Lucio, Marrone, Lichtsteiner, De Ceglie, Pogba, Giaccarini, Pepe, Bendtner, Matri, Giovinco.
Trainer: Antonio Conte (suspended, Angelo Alessio on the bench).
Unavailable: Chiellini.
Disqualified: nobody.
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Bologna).
Line Assistants: By Liberatore – Cariolato.
Port Assistants: Bergonzi-DeMarco.Fourth official: Niccolai.
