A match point for the round of XNUMX. Juventus he's in Moscow (at 18.55) with the aim of detaching the qualifying pass, for which a victory will be enough. In fact, with 3 points the games would close mathematically and the next two matches would "only" serve to establish the ranking order: a beautiful scenario, which would allow Sarri to concentrate his strength on the championship, as well as celebrate the first goal of the season. But first you have to beat Lokomotiv and the feat, as we saw two weeks ago in Turin, isn't that obvious.
“In Europe, if you don't perform at a level, you don't score points, it's a difficult match, they already created difficulties for us in the first leg – explained the Juventus coach. – In the Champions League, if you don't perform, you don't get results. The goal is to go through, then we want first place in the group but we're counting on a team that will fight for any remaining chances of qualifying”.
Sarri will not be able to count on De Ligt: the derby "man of the match", in fact, suffered a sprained left ankle and remained in Turin for treatment. The other heavy absence of the day, even if expected, is that of Cuadrado, disqualified and therefore unavailable. The squad available is still very rich in solutions and the coach, as always, will be able to carefully choose both the starters and the subsequent substitutions.
There are two main doubts, one relating to the central defender to support Bonucci, the other to the attacking "third man" together with Higuain and Ronaldo. The Juventus 4-3-1-2 should be made up of Szczesny in goal, Danilo, Bonucci, Rugani and Alex Sandro in defense, Khedira, Pjanic and Matuidi in midfield, Bernardeschi in the frontline, Ronaldo and Higuain in attack.
“This game is very important for us, the excitement is enormous – thought Setin. We will fight on every episode, at every moment: we want to create problems for Juve." The Lokomotiv coach has to deal with a moment that is anything but positive (after the knockout in Turin came the one in the derby against Spartak and the draw against Ufa), but still wants to play the remaining chances of qualifying. The Russians will try with a 4-5-1 formation that will see Guilherme in goal, Ignatjev, Corluka, Howedes and Idowu in the back, Joao Mario, Barinov, Murilo Cerqueira, Krychowiak and Miranchuk in the midfield behind lone striker Eder.
If the round of XNUMX is up for grabs in Moscow, the face is above all at San Siro. Atalanta in fact, he no longer has much to say in terms of the Champions League, although third place (which, it should be remembered, gives access to the Europa League) is still mathematically possible, but it is certain that being able to score points against Manchester City would have all the same a special taste. The mission is difficult, perhaps even impossible, but the Bergamo players have accustomed us to sensational surprises: their very presence in the elite of football, moreover, falls into the category.
“It's an opportunity to understand where we are but it's also important to get a result, with one point we're still inside – explained Gasperini. – The difficulty coefficient is very high, but luckily we start again from 0-0. We have come this far by playing in a certain way and we will continue to do so, we think we can win."
But if for Atalanta, mathematics aside, it's above all a question of prestige, for City, instead, qualification is at stake. In fact, with 3 points the round of XNUMX would become certain, which is why it is reasonable to expect a fierce Manchester United who are not at all willing to give gifts, regardless of Guardiola's esteem for a fellow "player" like Gasp.
“It's forbidden to think it's too easy after the 5-1 first leg – warned Pep. – The boys know the difficulties of this match, we talked a lot after the match two weeks ago. It was tough in the first half, especially in the first 20-25′. And then, in Europe, there are no simple matches”.
The nerazzurri, in one of the most prestigious nights in their history (there will be around 35 people at San Siro), will rely on the usual 3-4-1-2 with Gollini in goal, Palomino, Kjaer and Djimsiti in defence, Chestnuts, De Roon, Freuler and Gosens in midfield, Gomez behind the offensive duo made up of Ilicic and Muriel. Classic 4-3-3 also for Guardiola, who will respond with Ederson in goal, Cancelo, Fernandinho, Stones and Mendy in the back, Bernardo Silva, Gundogan and De Bruyne in the midfield, Mahrez, Aguero and Sterling in attack.
