Who for first place, who for honor. Quite a quiet evening in the Champions League for Juventus and Roma, who have already qualified for the round of XNUMX and are awaiting far from impossible away games against Young Boys and Viktoria Plzen. However, thinking of two friendlies would be a serious mistake: the black and whites must win to keep first place, the yellow and reds to give a signal of life after the last negative results.
It is obvious that Allegri's team is playing the most and not only because Di Francesco's is already certain that it cannot win the group. Expectations around Juventus are higher and first place, theoretically, would guarantee a much more affordable draw in the knockout stage. Furthermore, a fool at the home of the little Young Boys (last and already excluded from the Europa League as well) would not be reconciled with the ambitions of CR7 and his companions, determined to conquer that cup that has been missing on the bulletin board for 22 years.
“It's more important than the match against Inter, first place is worth it – reiterated Allegri – This can make the difference in the continuation of the competition but Young Boys will play the game of their lives, that's why we'll have to give our all to win. Finishing first means avoiding Barcelona, City or Real Madrid and preparing a softer eighth…”.
In short, an objective to be achieved, although the head could already be on the derby on Saturday evening, when the Lady will visit Mazzarri's fierce Toro. It is no coincidence that Allegri, despite the facade declarations, has decided to let some "owners" such as Chiellini, Matuidi and Dybala breathe and to leave Benatia and Khedira at home.
After all, the large squad available allows him to rotate men without losing quality, which is why, beyond the turnover, we will see a more than competitive 4-4-2 with Szczesny in goal, De Sciglio, Bonucci, Rugani and Cancelo in defense, Cuadrado, Bentancur, Pjanic and Douglas Costa in midfield, Mandzukic and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
The Swiss have nothing left to ask of the competition, if not a feat that would go down in the history of the club: Seoane will try to do it by relying on a 4-1-4-1 with Von Ballmoos between the posts, Mbabu, Von Bergen, Camara and Benito in the back, Lauper supporting a midfielder made up of Sulejmani, Sow, Aebischer and Assale, Nsame up front as the lone striker.
However, Roma will open the Champions League round, awaiting an apparently useless match against Viktoria Plzen (18.55 pm). In other times it would have been a quiet and completely tension-free evening, but now, in light of the powder keg that reigns around Trigoria, it is better to concentrate and bring home a victory. It goes without saying that this would not be enough to sweep away the clouds but in the meantime it would already be something: preparing the match against Genoa, on the other hand, would become even more complicated.
"I know the Roman square well, you reach the stars to then be the worst in the world in a moment - Di Francesco's analysis - We decided to go on retreat to understand the reasons for these results, the desire is to fight and find the solutions. I believe in my work but it is clear that we have to change course”.
Obviously yes, otherwise Pallotta could go from words (moreover denied by the club) to deeds, exempting the current coach himself.
Scenario that doesn't pass from tonight, even if a victory would leave everyone calmer: Roma will try to get it with a 4-2-3-1 that will see Mirante in goal, Florenzi, Juan Jesus, Marcano and Santon in defense, Cristante and Nzonzi in midfield, Under, Pastore and Kluivert in the frontline, Schick in attack.
Need to win instead for Vrba, engaged in head-to-head with CSKA Moscow for third place which is worth the Europa League: the Czech coach will choose a 4-2-3-1 with Hruska between the posts, Reznik, Pernica, Hubnik and Kovarik in the back, Hrosovsky and Prochazka in the midfield, Petrzela, Cermak and Kopic behind the lone striker Chory.
