Two painless defeats, waiting for the last verdicts. After yesterday's games, which saw the bruiseless knockouts of Napoli e Inter against Liverpool e Bavaria, tonight it's up to Milan e Juventus, with the Devil chasing qualification with the Salzburg and the Lady to play for the Europa League with the psg. We knew that yesterday would have been a quiet evening, also because first place was up for grabs only at Anfield, while not even that at Monaco. It ended with 2-0 victories for the English (goals by Salah and Nunez) and the Germans (Pavard and Choupo-Moting), but without any consequences: the group lead remains with Spalletti and even Inzaghi has nothing to complain about. Tonight, however, the level of tension will rise exponentially, especially at San Siro where qualification for the round of XNUMX is at stake.
Milan – Salzburg (21pm, Amazon Prime)
Il Milan will be faced with the Salzburg trailing by just one point in the standings, which makes the match a real final, which the Rossoneri can however play with two results out of three available. The first leg, which ended 1-1 with Saelemaekers making up for Okafor's initial goal, has already shown that the Austrians can be very dangerous, furthermore Milan seen in Turin on Sunday showed worrying cracks: the feeling, in short, is that this is a very important turning point for the season, which could give the impetus for the continuation or create many problems.
Pioli on the attack: "On the field to win, those who expect Milan from Turin will be disappointed"
Stefano Pioli, freshly renovated until 2025 (a very strong signal from the owners, on the eve of such a delicate challenge), is facing a really important test and has no intention of speculating on the ranking, given that, as mentioned in previously, even a draw could be enough for him. “We're used to attacking, we don't have to change our way of playing but field the best possible performance – reiterated the coach at the press conference -. The club is giving me great confidence, I'm very happy with the renewal. We started our journey for three years, now we really want to pass the shift tomorrow night, I gave myself a dream and I want to continue living it. We are disappointed with Sunday's match, but that's another story: if our opponents expect the Milan di Turin will be disappointed".
Milan - Salzburg, the formations: Pioli thinks of Rebic and Krunic
Compared to Sunday there will be several changes, especially after the very disappointing performance, one of the worst of the Pioli era. It will take a Milan with head, heart and leg, which is why the coach will focus on a 4-2-3-1 with Tatarusanu in goal, Kalulu, Kjaer, Tomori and Hernandez in defence, Tonali and Bennacer in midfield, Rebic, Krunic and Leao behind the lone striker Giroud. Jaissie, aware of having to win by force, will not make calculations and will field a Salzburg therefore attack 4-3-1-2 with Kohn in goal, Dedic, Wober, Pavlovic and Ulmer in the back, Kjaergaard, Gourna-Douath and Seiwald in the midfield, Sucic in the frontline, Sesko and Okafor in attack.
Juventus – Psg (at 21, Sky, Now Tv and Mediaset Infinity)
A Torino instead there isn't a place for the round of XNUMX up for grabs, given that the psg he already took it last week and Juventus, against their will, left him to Benfica. However, the bianconeri have a duty to defend at least the Europa League, even if it is not at all obvious: if Maccabi Haifa, playing at home against the Portuguese, did a better result than them, overtaking in the standings would take place. Allegri must try to save what can be saved with one of the strongest teams in the world, which is not exactly easy given that the Parisians are qualified, but not yet sure of first place, but third place is really the minimum that can be questioned and cannot be failed for no reason.
Allegri admits: "The Europa League is a must, we'll need an intelligent match"
"It's the first eve of the cup after so many years in which we haven't played decisive points for the Champions League - the bitter comment of Allegri -. But now we have a duty to go to the Europa League and then, if we succeed, new opportunities will open up. We face one of the best teams in the world, we will have to play one smart racetechnically valid. In Paris we gave away two goals, from two avoidable situations, trust will be needed like in Lecce. Unfortunately we won't recover anyone, apart from Locatelli, but there are players for such an important match. Some kids who played in Lecce will play, some youngsters, it will be a good test for them too”.
Juventus - Psg, the formations: Allegri confirms Miretti and Fagioli
The list of injured players, after Pogba's fallout (World Cup definitively vanished), is even longer and more worrying but Allegri, waiting to find Di Maria and Bremer for Inter, will still be able to field a respectable Juve, also thanks to some young people who have already shown excellent qualities. His 3-5-1-1 thus he will see Szczesny in goal, Gatti, Bonucci and Alex Sandro in defense, Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot and Kostic in midfield, Miretti behind the lone Milik striker. The psg, without the suspended Neymar (a nice advantage for Juve), will respond with a 3-4-3 with Donnarumma in goal, Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos and Kimpembe in the back, Hakimi, Verratti, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes in the midfield, Sarabia, Messi and Mbappé in attack.
