Good first time. For the Juventus, winners of the first leg against PSV and for Italian football, grappling with a three-day European match that will be decisive for the ranking. The 2-1 at the Allianz Stadium does not close the doors to the Dutch, indeed the return match in Eindhoven promises a battle, but the Bianconeri will be able to play with two results available and this is certainly a good advantage. This evening Milan and Atalanta they hope to do the same against Feyenoord (21 pm) e Club Brugge (18:45): two away games within reach, as long as we remember that in the Champions League we should never take anything for granted.
Juventus – PSV 2-1: McKennie and Thuram respond to former Inter player Perisic
A fundamental victory for Juventus, who have one foot in the Champions League round of 2. Only one though, since the 1-6 leaves everything open for the return match, which Motta will still be able to face with two results out of three available. The Bianconeri, despite not being enchanting in terms of play, deserved the victory, playing a game of heart and determination. McKennie opened the scoring, having gone from being 'out of the squad' to 'untouchable' in the space of 34 months, on an assist from Gatti, another player who was initially not very popular with Thiago and who has instead become one of his colonels. The defender anticipated an imprecise pass from Veerman and, after a favourable rebound, served the American, who scored with a powerful right-footed shot under the crossbar (56'). It seemed like the episode that could put the match on the downhill, but in the second half, after a save on the line by Flamingo on Mbangula (who came on to replace a disappointing Yildiz), PSV equalized, with former Inter player Perisic taking advantage of a mistake by Kelly (a bad performance from him) and beating Di Gregorio with a nice shot at the near post (82'). The Old Lady could have taken the blow, but instead they reacted in the right way. Thiago Motta played the cards Conceiçao, Thuram, Koopmeiners and Vlahovic, the latter in place of an unusually anonymous Kolo Muani. The Bianconeri's pressure paid off in the XNUMXnd minute, when Mbangula pounced on a somewhat so-so rebound by Benitez, scoring the goal of the very precious victory. Deserved, we said, because Juve showed great character, thus overcoming the technical-tactical difficulties. Now, with the lead to defend, Motta's team will be able to prepare for the return match, even if first they will have to face Inter, in a very tense match.
Thiago Motta: “A step towards our goal, but a great return will be needed”
“It's a victory, a first step, but the return is still missing – Thiago Motta commented -. We will have to be at our best against a team that plays good football, we are ready to put in a performance to achieve our goal. It was a balanced match, in which we improved the aspect of bringing more men to attack the penalty area. Vlahovic? I liked the attitude, he is fine but also the others who came on. Mbangula came on very well, Conceiçao made the play on the goal. We need those who come on during the game to keep it high and raise the level, we need everyone. Why don't I talk about individuals? Football is a team sport, when I talk about individuals I am the first to have to improve because I am the leader and I have to convey many messages. Inter? I expect a complicated match, we are facing a strong team that is doing better than us at this point in the championship. We are playing at home and we always have the same objective: to put in a great performance and bring victory to our side”.
Feyenoord – Milan (21pm, Prime Video)
The spotlight shifts to the other clash between Italy and Holland, namely Feyenoord-Milan. The Rossoneri come to this match with several difficulties in their squad, due to Musah's suspension and a UEFA list that has emptied the midfield, Terracciano as the only alternative to the usual Fofana and Reijnders. This is why Conceiçao seems practically forced to propose the quartet from the second half of Empoli (Pulisic, Joao Felix, Leao and Gimenez), already nicknamed "Fab-Four". The experiment worked great, but it's one thing to do it at the Castellani, another in a Champions League playoff, and away from home. After all, Musah's absence and the lack of valid alternatives in the middle of the field put the Devils in a delicate situation, forcing them to take a more offensive, but at the same time risky, approach. Conceiçao will have to be ready to manage a match that requires particular attention to the defensive phase: Feyenoord, despite the chaos resulting from Priske's dismissal (the ferryman Bosschaart will be on the bench), will fight hard, also to avenge the "kidnapping" of Gimenez, snatched for millions from via Aldo Rossi. The Portuguese coach, regardless of the men, could opt for a more cautious strategy, defending deeper than usual and starting counterattacks, also to exploit the speed and ability in space of his attackers. A choice that would reflect Milan's best characteristic, that of being lethal on the counterattack. Tonight's match promises to be decisive not only for the continuation of the Champions League, but also for the psychological and moral aspect of the group, decidedly on the rise after the recent victories against Roma and Empoli. The pressure is high and Milan needs to demonstrate that they can make the difference in Europe too.
Conceiçao: “In the playoffs because of our own faults, now we want to win”
“I have more than four players at my disposal, but it’s not like we have many solutions… – Conceiçao’s response to questions about the lineup -. We have 15 outfield players, plus the lads: unfortunately there are the difficulties of injuries and the Champions League list. The coaches have to find solutions, these four are on the list, let’s see… It’s a Champions League match, historically a difficult one to play. I was here three years ago with Porto, it’s a difficult, tough, hot environment. We also have our problems, there are only 17 outfield players available. It’s a special match for everyone, we are here due to our own shortcomings and we take on this responsibility, we want to win. Gimenez? I’ve been following him for a few years. I know him, he’s young, he’s 23, but he’s already at a very high level. If he scores it’s thanks to the whole team, but he has quality and a lot of talent. I’m very happy with him and all the others at the moment”.
Feyenoord – Milan, probable formations
Feyenoord (4-3-3): Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Moder, Hwang, Milambo; Paixao, Carranza, Moussa
On the bench: Andreev, Gonzalez, Mitchel, Read, Timber, Zechiel, Ivanusec, Ueda, Osman, Zand
Coach: Bosschaart
Unavailable: Bijlow, Lotomba, Trauner, Nadje, Zerrouki, Stengs
Disqualified: None
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Joao Felix, Leao; Gimenez
On the bench: Sportiello, Torriani, Gabbia, Thiaw, Bartesaghi, Terracciano, Camarda, Chukwueze, Liberali
Coach: Conceicao
Unavailable: Jovic, Jimenez, Vos, Bondo and Sottil (not in the list), Florenzi, Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal
Disqualified: Musah
Club Brugge – Atalanta (18pm, Sky and Now)
It was also an important evening for Atalanta, who want to complete the work and take the round of 120. Club Brugge, already faced this season by Milan and Juventus, does not seem to have the tools to counter the Goddess, or at least not in the sparkling version of last Saturday. The Nerazzurri have finally offered a performance in line with the first months of the season, when they gave the impression of being able to compete with anyone. Then, thanks to some important injuries, the performance dropped a bit, but Gasperini's team still remained up there at the top, both in the league and in the Champions League. The trip to Belgium comes at the right time, despite the difficulties related to the weather: the heavy snowfall that fell on Bruges forced a change in the plans of the day before, moving the training to Zingonia (they did not want to weigh down the pitch of the Jan Breydel) and postponing the flight and press conference. The evening will be important for everyone, but De Ketelaere will live it in an even more intense way. Charles, in fact, grew up right there, making a whopping 25 appearances between the league and cups, embellished with 20 goals and XNUMX assists. The rest is history, with Paolo Maldini who set his sights on him and brought him to Milan, where he disappointed expectations. Gasperini, an old sea dog, wanted him with him and the Belgian repaid him in a big way, so much so that he became an indisputable starter for his Goddess. It will be up to him, together with Retegui, to drag his teammates to a great victory, which would almost transform the return into a formality. On the contrary, things could get complicated, which is not in anyone's best interest.
Gasperini: “Be careful with Club Brugge, we will have to play a serious game”
"We saw Club Brugge play with Juve and Milan, they gave the Rossoneri a hard time with 10 men - Gasperini underlined -. In the last match they held the field well with Manchester City, they are a young and well-knit team. We expect a good match, they attack with many men, they play to win and we need to be careful: they don't have any drops in the 90 minutes, we will have to be good at playing a serious match. How penalizing is it to make the play-offs? We came ninth in this particular ranking having had a good run, playing in the Champions League is always a great emotion for us. I don't know if we are the favorites, but I don't believe in the percentages. Club Brugge is tactically prepared, used to winning and playing as a team".
Club Brugge – Atalanta, probable formations
Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Seys, Spileers, Mechele, Ordonez, De Cuyper; Velesen, Onyedika; Jutgla, Vanaken, Vermant; Nilsson
On the bench: Van den Heuvel, Jackers, Romero, Meijer, Siquet, Ordonez, Sabbe, Jashari, Talbi, Nielsen, Tzolis, Skoras
Coach: Hayen
Unavailable: None
Disqualified: None
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Posch, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Retegui
On the bench: Rui Patricio, Rossi, Toloi, Palestra, Cuadrado, Sulemana, Samardzic, Brescianini, Cassa, Vlahovic
Coach: Gasperini
Unavailable: Scamacca and Scalvini (not in the list), Kossonou, Lookman, Kolasinac, Maldini, Ruggeri
Disqualified: None
