Champions trials. There are many other interesting matches on Sunday in the Milan derby, with several teams wanting to win to confirm themselves among the top of the class and, why not, try to take advantage of what will happen at the San Siro. Lazio, beating Sampdoria early yesterday, has already made its move, taking fourth place with 43 points, which obliges Roma to respond present in Benevento (20.45 pm), but above all makes Atalanta- Naples (18 pm) a real play-off in a Champions League key, all in anticipation of Juventus, engaged tomorrow night in the Monday night against Crotone. In short, a rich dish, also because Lazio's victory raised the bar: now, in fact, the race for fourth place is even more difficult than before.
A heavy success for the biancocelesti, also because it was obtained just a few days after the super challenge with Bayern Munich (yesterday defeated 2-1 in Frankfurt by Eintracht): the risk of saving, at least unconsciously, some precious energy was everything, but Inzaghi knew how to face the match in the best possible way, in the presence of a healthy Sampdoria ready to spoil the party. Luis Alberto's goal in the 24th minute was decisive, certifying the seventh Lazio victory in the last eight games: a respectable roster, which in fact is worth fourth place in the standings, albeit waiting for the competitors. “It was a very difficult match, against a team in an excellent moment – Inzaghi commented happily -. We know there is some suffering in this period and we did it well, I think overall the victory is well deserved. Now head to Bayern was the only ball in the box that we didn't want: it will be a nice climb, but we will play it like we did in the first six Champions League games".
The result of the Olimpico adds even more spice up Atalanta-Naples, transforming it to all intents and purposes into a Champions League play-off. In fact, both have 40 points, and if it is true that the distance from fourth place, even in the event of a defeat, would remain within reach, it is also true that then there would be many teams to come back, making the undertaking truly complex. On paper, the players from Bergamo are better off, who were able to prepare for the match throughout the week, against a physically weakened Napoli (there are 8 injured players) and morale (the defeat in Granada showed that the troubles are anything but that resolved). But Gasperini will have to be careful not to spare himself too much in view of Real Madrid, although the match, historic at the Nerazzurri, is already on the lips of all of Bergamo.
“Such an important match is ideal for not getting distracted – Gasperini explained in the press conference-. I expect a good Naples as always, it's a strong team with qualities and values, but we're focused because we want to do well in the league." In the blue house, beyond the now usual silence on the eve, the same optimism does not reign, because the results, combined with the accident emergency, are making the season increasingly complicated. Gattuso has at least recovered Koulibaly and Ghoulam, both negative at the last swab and therefore enlistable already today. The coach needs it, because the absences of Ospina, Manolas, Hysaj, Demme, Mertens, Politano, Lozano and Petagna are enough and advance.
The blue 4-3-3 will thus see Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defense, Fabian Ruiz, Bakayoko and Zielinski in midfield, Elmas, Osimhen and Insigne in attack. Classic 3-4-1-2 instead for Gasperini, who will respond with Gollini between the posts, Toloi, Romero and Palomino in the back department, Maehle, De Roon, Pessina and Gosens in the midfield, Malinovskyi behind the offensive duo made up of Ilicic and Zapata. Fonseca's Roma will close the championship Sunday, engaged on the field of Benevento. It goes without saying that the Giallorossi, fresh from their successes against Udinese and Braga, want to win, and then get ready to host Milan next week, in a match that could even have implications for the Scudetto.
All this, however, will only happen if successful in Campania, otherwise regrets, once again, will end up engulfing the Romanist environment. “We are creating a group for the next few years, having young people who can continue to grow is important for Roma, whether I train them or not doesn't matter – glossed over Fonseca -. We have to think only of Benevento, they are a strong team, they build with criteria and they are dangerous to attack in depth. We have to be 100% concentrated, they are very aggressive right now, we'll need a great game defensively." The victory over Braga will allow the coach to concentrate solely and exclusively on the championship, given that the qualification for the round of XNUMX of the Europa League is in the safe.
However, he too has to deal with various absences, especially in defense, where in addition to the usual Smalling and Kumbulla, Ibanez and Cristante will also be missing, often adapted to the role of central defender. Fonseca will thus rely on a 3-4-2-1 with Pau Lopez in goal, Mancini, Fazio and Spinazzola in defense, Karsdorp, Villar, Veretout and Bruno Peres in midfield, Pellegrini and Mkhitaryan on the trocar, Borja Mayoral in attack. Inzaghi will attempt the coup by aiming for a 4-3-2-1 with Montipò between the posts, Depaoli, Tuia, Glik and Barba in the back department, Hetemaj, Schiattarella and Viola in the midfield, Ionita and Caprari behind the lone striker Lapadula.
