An unusual Wednesday of relaxation. Juventus shows up in Leverkusen (21 pm) without pretensions, on the strength of the qualification/first place combination already in the pocket from the previous round. On the other hand, the speech for Atalanta is completely different, awaited by the frost of Kharkiv (18.55) in search of a qualification that would be truly historic. But even if there are no points up for grabs, the Bianconeri don't want to make a bad impression, especially a few days after the defeat in Rome, which inflicted another crack in a decidedly less solid wall than in the past.
“We are working to always be masters of the match, the boys are working hard but they are not always succeeding – explained Sarri. – I'm telling you all things that presuppose a change of mentality and therefore are neither automatic nor short-term. The spark depends on many factors, first of all we have to put our all into finding pleasure in certain moments of the game in dribbling and in ball possession. They have to be done at the right speed, otherwise they become sterile and therefore we have to find the pleasure of doing them well, without retreating after scoring. We have the privilege and the honor of playing in the Champions League, it must always be honoured. I expect a serious match, the ability to go and play a top-level match without an apparently immediate goal. I ask for a performance, then the result may or may not come, without affecting it".
However, the Juventus coach will be able to let some players rest, a little by choice and a lot by necessity. In Germany, in addition to long-term patients Chiellini and Khedira and the usual Ramsey and Douglas Costa, De Ligt and Bentancur will also be missing, with the result that on the pitch, in the presence of a highly motivated Bayer (the qualification place with Atletico is at stake) , you will see a very experimental team. Juve's 4-3-1-2 will see Buffon in goal, Danilo, Demiral, Rugani and De Sciglio in defense, Cuadrado, Rabiot and Pjanic in midfield, Bernardeschi in the frontline, Higuain and Ronaldo in attack. Bosz will respond with a 4-2-3-1 composed by Hradecky in goal, L. Bender, Tah, S. Bender and Wendell in the back, Baumgartlinger and Aranguiz in the midfield, Volland, Havertz and Bailey behind the lone striker Alario.
A decidedly more vibrant match instead for Atalanta, grappling with the most prestigious match in its history. If the Goddess manages to beat Shakhtar and City does not lose against Dinamo, a sensational qualification for the round of XNUMX would take place, something unthinkable in the middle of the group and instead become possible. However, Gasperini will have to play for everything without two of the best elements of the squad: Zapata and Ilicic will not be there, and Toloi will also be missing. Never like this time, however, will the head make the difference, which is why the Nerazzurri coach doesn't want any kind of alibi, but a team ready to accomplish the feat.
“We have heavy absences, but we came here where we gave ourselves a great opportunity after a difficult start to the tournament – confirmed Gasp. – We know that we have an important card, my team has grown in this competition, it has greater awareness. Shakhtar have also grown, but we have the confidence to face the match against them well."
The Nerazzurri 3-4-2-1 will see Gollini in goal, Palomino, Kjaer and Djmsiti in defence, Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler and Gosens in midfield, Pasalic and Gomez in the trocar, Muriel in attack. Castro, also chasing qualification points, will respond with a 4-2-3-1 formation made up of Pyatov in goal, Dodo, Kryvtsov, Matviyenko and Ismaily in the back, Stepanenko and Alan Patrick in the midfield, Marlos, Kovalenko and Taison behind lone striker Junior Moraes.
