Napoli is approaching the round of XNUMX, Juventus hope to take them as soon as possible. The two days of the Champions League for our Italians began with a draw by the Azzurri on the Besiktas field and will end with the Bianconeri's home match against Lyon. Very delicate matches, because at this point in the group stage the margin of error is very low, not to mention zero.
Juventus is called to beat Lyon to take the pass for the round of 4. The first place will probably be decided in two weeks in Seville, but in the meantime the bianconeri have the possibility of mathematically qualifying precisely at the expense of the French, who are now XNUMX points behind in the standings.
“It's a decisive match, you have to face it with a great sense of responsibility and respect for Lyon – thought Allegri. – Woe to thinking it could be easy, we are not qualified yet: let's take it one step at a time”.
It is unlikely that Juve will be able to take the match lightly, if anything the risk is to pay for the tour de force of the last few weeks, which has seen them play various challenges at the highest level both physically and mentally. The Juventus coach will rotate a few men compared to Saturday with Napoli, except for the attack, currently reduced to the bone.
His 3-5-2 will see Buffon in goal, Barzagli, Bonucci and one of Evra and Benatia in defense (the former is the favorite because it would allow the move to 4 in the race), Dani Alves, Khedira, Marchisio, Sturaro (probable a rest for Pjanic) and Alex Sandro in midfield, Mandzukic and Higuain in attack.
"We know Juve's qualities well but we'll try to play our chances" Genesio's speech, forced to make a coup in order not to say goodbye to the Champions League prematurely. He will try with the same formation as the black and whites, with Lopes in goal, Nkoulou, Yanga-Mbiwa and Morel in the back, Rafael, Ferri, Gonalons, Tolisso and Rybus in the midfield, Fekir and Lacazette as an attacking pair.
As for Sarri's team, yesterday a victory would have almost eliminated the risk of elimination, a defeat instead would have made it very likely. A draw came out of the wheel of Istanbul that leaves everything open, but at least Napoli have dispelled the direct away match.
Now the Group B standings see the Azzurri in the lead together with Benfica at 7 points (but for now the match sees them strong with 4-2 in the first leg) and Besiktas immediately behind at 6. A scenario which, at first glance, leaves intending a total balance, but if you look closely, the calendar offers a wonderful possibility: beating Dinamo Kiev (last and already eliminated) at the San Paolo and taking advantage of the contemporary direct clash between the Portuguese and the Turks could be worth the pass for the round of XNUMX.
However, getting out of Istanbul unscathed was not easy, indeed at a certain point things had gotten rather bad. Napoli, after managing the match without any particular problems (except for Hutchinson's post) and wasting several chances to score, found themselves down 11' from the end due to a penalty from Quaresma (Maksimovic's arm).
A prank, however very heavy, however avoided by Marek Hamsik: the captain, criticized in recent days for never having recorded on important nights, responded with a left foot as beautiful as it was fundamental, which put his team back in the saddle (82 ') .
“I'm happy with the performance but the bitterness remains for not having realized all the opportunities we had – Sarri's analysis. – The result is close to us but it is still precious”.
