Il Milan is approaching eighths, the Juventus give up all hope. The Rossoneri break the bank zagabria with a clear 4-0 and, thanks to Chelsea's victory in Salzburg (Blues already mathematically qualified), see the eighths of final, even if at least a draw will be needed against Salzburg. The bianconeri instead lose 4-3 a Lisbon and sadly close their Champions League with the pittance of 3 points, the same as Maccabi Haifa: theelimination it is certainly not the result of Da Luz's defeat, but certainly the match against Benfica, presented by Allegri as a final, clearly certified it, excluding a proud ending which, if possible, increases regrets even more. Italian football therefore loses a protagonist already in the group stage, but on the other hand it has a good chance of taking three teams to the round of XNUMX: in fact, pending Milan's last effort, tonight will touch to Inter play the pass for the next round at San Siro against Viktoria Plzen (18.45), without forgetting Napoli already qualified, on the pitch at Maradona against Rangers to take first place.
Benfica 4-1 Juventus, Allegri: "Sorry and angry, now head to the championship"
The defeat black and white it already matured in the first half, just to sweep away the last illusions of those who believed that a miracle was still possible. The knockout of From Luz it was humiliating at least until 10' from the end, because if it's true that even a win, in light of the standings, probably wouldn't have been enough (it's hard to think that Maccabi could have stopped Benfica on the last day, just as this Juve could hurt the PSG), it is also that a similar gap was not foreseen, not in one night from inside or outside. Instead the Lady collapsed in less than one half under the blows of Antonio Silva (17'), Joao Mario (28' from a penalty) and Rafa Silva (35'), thus nullifying Kean's goal in the 21st minute which had deluded himself about the chances of play it to the end. At the start of the second half, Rafa Silva himself found the 4-1 point and everyone thought of a real black and white collapse, but then the team Allegri recovered partially with goals from Milik (77') and McKennie (79'), making the final more piquant without however being able to change the substance of the facts: the Juve says goodbye to the Champions League in the group stage and also the Europa League, as far as possible (in case of finishing on equal points the goal difference with Maccabi is +6), is not yet certain. “It was a match to keep in balance and then try to bring it home – Allegri's bitter comment -. We are sorry and angry, but now let's think about the championship starting again from the last 20′ of tonight. The first part of the season was certainly not good, we are out of the Champions League and also late in Serie A, we need to make an effort to shorten the standings". In the meantime, since it always rains in the wet, we also register the company's official note on the investigation Turin Public Prosecutor's Office, which disputes well four offences (false accounting, market manipulation, obstacle to supervision and false invoices) to the point of even asking for house arrest for Andrea Agnelli (rejected by the judge). "Juventus remains convinced, also taking into account the legal and accounting investigations carried out by the Company with the help of its consultants, that it has operated in compliance with the laws and regulations governing the preparation of financial reports" reads the official statement of the club, but the feeling is that the story is just beginning.
Dinamo Zagreb - Milan 0-4, Pioli rejoices: "Great game, now we also win with Salzburg"
The evening of the Milan, which clears zagabria and sees the light of the eighths of final. The mission is not yet accomplished, indeed next Wednesday 2 November at San Siro a real final will be staged with Salzburg, but the Rossoneri will be able to play it with two results out of three available, given that the Chelsea won in Austria 2-1. Test of character and personality that of the Devil, capable of imposing himself on the Croatians with a crescendo in the first half, who started quietly and exploded with a goal from Gabbia (39'), his first center ever with the Milan shirt. But it is in the second half that the team of Pioli it spread, immediately finding a double with Leao (49') and then closing the match with Giroud's penalty (59') and Ljubicic's own goal (69'), thus certifying a fundamental success for the European continuation. “This is a heavy victory and we know it, but I'm happy with how we dealt with the difficulties of this match – the happy analysis of the AC Milan coach -. Against Salzburg we will have two results out of three available, I don't know if this thing is a double-edged sword but we are not mentally or technically built to manage matches. We will have to play at our best, our growth comes from qualifying and also against the Austrians we will have to play to win, keeping our mentality".
Inter – Viktoria Plzen (18.45 pm, Amazon Prime)
Spotlight on San Siro, Where Inter di Inzaghi will seek a victory that would close any qualifying speech, regardless of the result of Barcelona-Bayern Munich (21 pm). A great result for the Nerazzurri, who emerged victorious from the double confrontation with Barça and therefore able to decide their own fate without worrying about the others: an almost unimaginable scenario at the end of August, when many considered the group to be at least prohibitive. Inter, on the other hand, succeeded in the enterprise, but now they have to take the last step against the Viktoria Plzen, bringing up the rear with 0 points and 16 goals conceded in just 4 games: in short, a mission within reach, provided you don't take the commitment lightly.
Inzaghi is sure: "We haven't done anything yet, but we won't fall into the trap"
“We are focused and aware, we are not afraid of falling into a trap – Inzaghi underlined at the press conference -. Last season we managed to exploit a similar situation, now we have to do the same knowing that reaching the round of XNUMX would be very important for everyone, from the team to the club to the fans. We want qualification against the Viktoria Plzen, otherwise everything would be decided in Munich against Bayern and it would be much more complicated. Lukaku? He is working with enthusiasm and desire, he is clearly recovering and he can be very important for us: we want to improve offensively and with him we hope to do it further ”.
Inter – Viktoria Plzen, the formations: Lukaku returns to the bench
The Belgian is therefore back in the squad after two months of absence, even if he is not yet able to play from the first minute. The Nerazzurri coach, moreover, needs a team ready to close the qualification discussion, so he will field the 3-5-2 type (net of the absence of Brozovic) with Onana in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defense, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan and Dimarco in midfield, Dzeko and Lautaro in attack. Bilek, now resigned to elimination (the Europa League remains a glimmer, but frankly it seems very unlikely), will try to keep up the honor with a 4-2-3-1 with Stanek in goal, Havel, Pernica, Hejda and Jemelka in the back, Kalvach and Bucha in the midfield, Mosquera, Vlkanova and Holik behind the lone striker Chory.
Naples – Glasgow Rangers (21pm, Sky, Now Tv and Mediaset Infinity)
No thrill instead of qualifying for Maradona, given that the Napoli di Spalletti has already detached the pass for the round of XNUMX by beating Ajax two weeks ago. However, there is still a first place to be conquered and the Azzurri, in the light of what has been done so far, do not want to let it slip away for any reason: on that, in addition to a higher economic income, depends a potentially better draw, therefore the possibility of going ahead with less sorry. A win with Rangers would not be enough if the Liverpool, contextually, beat Ajax in the other match of the evening (21 pm), but then it would be enough not to lose at Anfield (or even do it with a difference of less than two goals, given the 4-1 victory in the first leg) to fulfill the mission. And then, beyond the rankings, it must be said that appetite comes with eating and this Naples seems really hungry.
Spalletti confirms: "Winning for first place is essential"
"In all matches you have to give your best, as will the others, the difficulties are in repeating yourself every time, the DRS must always be included because you have to go fast - he confirmed Spalletti -. Winning could be fundamental because it would allow us to reach the match against Liverpool with 15 points, we would fight for first place with the goal difference in our favour, it is fundamental for the last game. The possibility of having strong players gives me the opportunity to use those others, having a level squad allows us to change something and we will do it, there will be 4-5 fresh players. Finding an easily affordable team up front is a mistake we won't make. We're going to put the best of ourselves into this match too, because otherwise it would mean not having the DNA of a winner."
Naples – Glasgow Rangers, the formations: Osimhen at rest, it's up to Simeone
The anti-Rangers plan calls for an evening off for osimhen, recently returned from the injury and already decisive both with Bologna and Sunday in Rome. The large squad, moreover, allows you to rotate the men a bit in all departments and the blue coach will do exactly that, with the exception of Kvaratskhelia, the only untouchable (together with Meret) since the beginning of the season. His 4-3-3, now a reference system, he will therefore see Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Juan Jesus and Mario Rui in defense, Ndombele, Lobotka and Elmas in midfield, Politano, Simeone and Kvaratskhelia in attack. Van Bronckhorst, already eliminated but still with Europa League hopes, will try to stop Napoli with a 3-4-3 with McGregor in goal, Lundstram, King and Davies in the back, Tavernier, Jack, Davis and Barisic in the median, Arfield, Colak and Kent in the offensive trident.
