And after the championship, the Champions. With the start of the European cups, in particular the most prestigious one, we can say that the 21/22 football season really gets going, also because the menu is immediately very rich. The most fascinating challenges such as Liverpool-Milan and Inter-Real Madrid are tomorrow, but today the most delicate ones are taking place, the ones not to be missed for any reason. This is especially true for the Juventus, called to shake off the mediocrity of the first games in the den of Malmoe (21pm), but also for Atalanta, who in Vila-Real (same time) are trying to rediscover the spirit that brought them here.
However, it is obvious that the greatest pressures are on the black and whites, authors of such a bad start to the season that it even seems fake, except that instead everything is absolutely real. “After a disastrous start to the championship, we have to win – he thundered Allegri - We need to wake up. We're not among the favorites this year but that doesn't mean we don't have the desire to win. Malmoe are a physical team, used to playing in the Champions League, with good players and two good strikers. The two wingers are two players who have speed and technique, so we'll have to play an excellent match. What matters most to me, however, is to find serenity again, if we had had more, we would have done different things in the league as well".
We don't know if the problem is more mental or more technical, but what is certain is that the Lady will be playing a lot between now and Sunday. A success in Sweden would give AC Milan a little boost, in what many already consider a sort of last resort to get back into the race for the Scudetto. But first there's the Champions League, against an opponent who, on paper, should be the weakest in the group made up of European champions Chelsea and Russian Zenit. In short, the match admits of no other result than victory, especially since Allegri, after numerous defections from Naples, will find the South Americans again, even if Chiesa will be in the pits again.
Tonight, therefore, it will be 4-4-2 with Szczesny in goal (confirmed despite the growing front of those who would like Perin), Cuadrado, De Ligt, Bonucci and Alex Sandro in defense, Kulusevski, Locatelli, Rabiot and McKennie in midfield, Dybala and Morata in attack. Jon Dahl Tomasson's Malmoe, old glory of Ancelotti's Milan, will respond with the same game system, with Diawara between the posts, Beijmo, Ahmedodzic, Brorsson and Olsson in the back, Gwargis, Rakip, Innocent and Rieks in the midfield, Colak and Birmancevic offensive duo.
Delicate evening also for Atalanta, who after the defeat against Fiorentina visits Villarreal defending champion of the Europa League. Difficult and very important match, because in a group with Ronaldo's Manchester United it is easy to imagine that one place has already been assigned and that the other, with all due respect to the Young Boys, is being fought over by the Bergamo and Spaniards.
“This group is very balanced, everyone can pass – he glossed over Gasperini – We know the value of Villarreal, as well as the importance and difficulty of the match. From the day we debuted in this competition we have come a long way, we have taken some blows but also done excellent things, learning a lot. We propose ourselves again with the same enthusiasm and the desire to play games like this”.
The Nerazzurri coach, after the (probably excessive) turnover on Saturday, will return to fielding the typical formation, therefore 3-4-2-1 with Musso in goal, Toloi, Demiral and Djimsiti in defence, Maehle, Freuler, De Roon and Gosens in midfield, Ilicic and Pessina behind the lone striker Zapata. Classic 4-4-2 also for Emery, who will respond with Rulli in goal, Foyth, Albiol, Mandi and Pedraza in the back, Pino, Manu Trigueros, Capoue and Alberto Moreno in the midfield, Dia and Gerard Moreno in attack.
