The day of the verdicts. This evening Inter and Naples their respective ones will close Champions League groups with two important matches, albeit very different from each other. The Nerazzurri, in fact, are "only" playing for first place in the play-off with the Real society, while the Azzurri will face the Braga to secure the pass for the round of XNUMX, even if strong with two results out of three. An evening full of tension, worthy of the Europe that counts: the hope, obviously, is to obtain the maximum possible, also already thinking about the draws.
Inter – Real Sociedad (21pm, Canale 5, Sky, Now, Infinity +)
Inter, as everyone knows, she is already qualified since the success in Salzburg on 8 November, but still has the lead of the group to conquer. This is not a detail, because if it is true that the pass to the round of XNUMX is the most important thing, it is also true that get there first it can change many things, starting with the draw. At the moment, in fact, the big European teams are almost all qualified as leaders: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester City certainly, Barcelona almost, Atletico Madrid with a good chance (Lazio permitting). Only PSG, barring a sensational comeback by Milan, would end up in the second round, which says a lot about the advantages that Inzaghi would obtain by winning his group. Furthermore, beating Real Sociedad would bring others 2,8 million in the coffers of Viale Liberazione, not to mention that more turns equals higher takings both from a television and stadium point of view. In short, there are many reasons to win the 3 points and it is certain that Inter will try, thanks to a form close to excellence which leads to optimism.
Inzaghi sounds the charge: "We know well how much first place is worth"
“It will be a very difficult match, against a quality opponent – underlined Inzaghi -. Playing at home or away makes little difference to them, we face a team of absolute value, an important Inter will be needed. It's nice to have done like this for the first four months, but football moves quickly: this test is demanding, but the team knows what it means to finish first. Turnover? Something, as I have always done regardless of the opponent, I will change. We have some difficulties in rotations, because we have some important players out, I still have to make careful assessments and look at the parameters. This morning we didn't do much: I wouldn't talk about turnover, but about some changes like I always have."
Inter – Real Sociedad, the lineups: Lautaro, Barella and Bastoni rest, Sanchez and Cuadrado starters
The importance of the match will not change the turnover logic, also because Lazio will be there on Sunday and Inzaghi wants to get there with the top men. The rest period, at least from the beginning, will concern Lautaro and Barella, ready to take over during the match in progress 3-5-2 Nerazzurri, which will see Sommer in goal, Darmian, Acerbi and Carlos Augusto in defense, Cuadrado, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan and Dimarco in midfield, Thuram and Sanchez in attack. Alguacil will respond with a 4-3-3 with Remiro between the posts, Traoré, Zubeldia, Le Normand and Tierney in the defensive department, Marin, Zubimendi and Merino in the midfield, Kubo, Sadiq and Barrenetxea in the attacking trident.
Naples – Braga (21pm, Sky, Now and Infinity +)
“Heavier” match at Maradona, where Napoli are playing for the round of XNUMX. The single point collected between Union Berlin and Real Madrid slowed down the Azzurri's progress, but the chances of qualifying remain quite high: Mazzarri's team would even go by losing with a one-goal margin, in light of the direct match in the first leg (2-1) and the better goal difference. In short, an elimination would be equivalent to a collapse, an eventuality that no one around Vesuvius even wants to take into consideration. Napoli, however, would like to close the group with a victory, also because the last three defeats, net of the value of their opponents (Real Madrid, Inter and Juventus), have left a very bitter taste in the mouth. Mazzarri wants to start again from the performances, which have certainly improved compared to the Garcia era, but he too knows that the time has come to get results, otherwise the effect resulting from his arrival will vanish, if it ever existed. The coach doesn't say it openly, but his roadmap includes two victories against Braga and Cagliari, and then using the "full" weeks to improve his athletic condition, perhaps the biggest problem left by his predecessor.
Mazzarri is not subtle: "No calculations, the important thing is to get through"
"We don't think about doing calculations, we have to play our game with just a little more balance – explained Mazzarri -. If we think of something different we will face a bad match, I have liked several things seen so far, but we need more balance and more attention on the defensive phase. It will be essential to pass, I expect more solidity by not giving anything away, we will also have to pay attention to counterattacks, Braga are good at this. In the first half against Juve and Inter we played very well, but the first mistake scores a goal: I would like to see a more careful defensive phase, usually those who win championships or have the best placings have always had the best defense. Osimhen? I will talk to him and understand if he is fit to start from the beginning. Furthermore, there will be the African Cup of Nations soon and we know that we will have to do without it for a while, however Raspadori and Simeone are there."
Napoli – Braga, the lineups: Mazzarri with Osimhen in doubt, Kvaratskhelia influenced
The latest lineup does not smile on Mazzarri, given that his most important forwards are certainly not at 100%. Osimhen spent the day before in Marrakech to collect the African Ballon d'Or, Kvaratskhelia is struggling with an annoying flu that hasn't allowed him to train at his best. Both, however, should be regularly on the field, in a 4-3-3 with Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus and Natan (but the Zanoli hypothesis remains alive) in defense, Anguissa, Lobotka and Zielinski in midfield, Politano, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in attack. Artur Jorge, forced to win with at least a two-goal margin, will try everything with a 4-2-3-1 with Matheus between the posts, Gomez, José Fonte, Niakaté and Borja in the defensive department, Moutinho and Carvalho in the midfield, Djalò, Zalazar and Horta behind the lone striker Banza.
