Between the championship and the Champions League. The 12th day of A has just ended with the victories in Rome (3-1 in Verona) and Bologna (2-1 in Monza), but it's already time to think about the European challenges, which have reached the final act of the group stage. However, not all of them get there in the same way: Inter and Naples, in fact, they are mathematically qualified in the eighth notes, while the Milan the precious pass will be played tomorrow against Salzburg. Separate speech for the Juve, already eliminated a week ago in Lisbon, but still hunting for at least a place in Europa League. In short, it will be two decidedly different days from field to field, starting with tonight where we will witness two fascinating challenges such as Liverpool-Naples e Bayern Munich-Interbut without the pathos (or heartache, depending on your point of view) of inside or outside.
Liverpool – Naples (21 pm, Sky, Now TV and Mediaset Infinity)
At Anfield, however, there is something up for grabs, even if Napoli are largely favourites. First place in the group will be at stake, which means money and, at least in theory, a simpler draw for the round of 4, but the Azzurri, with a 1-7 lead in the first leg and a goal difference of +3, could even afford to lose with a XNUMX goal difference. Of course, anything can happen in Liverpool and the history of football says it all, so it's better not to lower the defenses regardless, the current moment of the two teams however could not be more different, with Napoli returning from thirteen victories consecutive and Reds from two defeats in the last three: the classifications of the respective championships, moreover, do not lie, with Spalletti in command of Serie A at +5 on the second and Klopp sadly ninth at minus 15 from leaders Arsenal.
Klopp in love with Napoli: "Play the best football in Europe, it's for the final"
“If they continue to play like this, they have the possibility of reaching the Champions League final – thought Klopp -. I really like what they are doing, nothing to say: they are the best team in Europe. I respect what he is doing and Spalletti respects us, I don't think they have copied our style, they play a different kind of football in defense and have energy and intensity: they are a team that we like to watch ”.
Spalletti doesn't agree: "Are we in the final? Cca nobody is stupid…”
“Klopp says we are from the final? If he wants we can talk about it… – Spalletti glossed over-. Excessive compliments sometimes serve to put you up there to then be able to hear your thump, while criticisms allow you to find ideas for improvement. He made three Champions League finals, he's the best of them all... When we find ourselves in front of him he will understand that 'Cca nisciun is stupid…”.
Liverpool - Naples, the formations: Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia owners
However, the standings are not everything: a stadium like Anfield, in fact, automates the desire to do well and play it head-on. Here because Spalletti, regardless of already being qualified and with Atalanta just around the corner, will field a 4-3-3 with very few changes compared to Saturday with Sassuolo, therefore Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Kim, Ostigard and Olivera in defense, Ndombelé, Lobotka and Zielinski in midfield, Politano, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in attack. Same game system also for Klopp, who will attempt the feat (beating Napoli with 4 goals difference, these days, it definitely is) with Alisson in goal, Alexander Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk and Tsimikas in the back, Milner, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara in midfielder, Salah, Nunez and Carvalho in the offensive trident.
Bayern Munich – Inter (21 pm, Canale 5, Sky, Now Tv, Mediaset Infinity)
In Monaco, on the other hand, nothing is played anymore, apart from the honor of challenging each other on a stage of absolute prestige such as the Allianz Arena. Both Bayern and Inter have already qualified for the round of XNUMX and the ranking order is also defined, with the Germans first and the Nerazzurri second. Inzaghi, for obvious reasons, would have preferred to face Nagelsmann at least for the lead in the group, but all in all, considering that he will go to Turin on Sunday to challenge Juventus, he doesn't mind having his mind free from all thoughts. In reality, however, he too has one and it concerns Lukaku, stopped again due to a muscle problem after returning to the field last week. The original plan foresaw at least one time this evening, to have it polished (or almost) in derby of Italy, instead Big Rom will be forced to stop for at least 10 days, so much so that even the Belgium coach Martinez is starting to be rather worried.
Inzaghi: "Too bad about Lukaku, I hope to have him back before the break"
“Romelu had a little problem with his scar on Saturday with Sampdoria – explained Inzaghi -. The company statement is clear, he will have to stay at rest for a few days and then it will be re-evaluated at the end of the week. It's a slowdown that we didn't need, he was giving it his all in this period, I hope at least to be able to use it again before the break. Having said that we are ready to play a game in a beautiful stadium against one of the best in Europe. We want to have a serious race, organized, knowing that there will be difficulties, we find a very strong team with a deep squad. We know what game we have on Sunday, I will change something but not too much”.
Bayern Munich – Inter, the formations: Inzaghi makes turnover in all departments
In reality, the coach's head is already projected towards Turin (like that of Nagelsmann, after all, who has admitted that he thinks above all of the Bundesliga), so tonight we will see a rather different Inter than usual, with Skriniar, Bastoni, Dumfries and Calhanoglu at rest, in addition to the bruised Lukaku and Dzeko. The 3-5-2 for the nerazzurri thus he will see Onana in goal, Darmian, De Vrij and Acerbi in defense, Bellanova, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan and Gosens in midfield, Correa and Lautaro in attack. Also Bayern will make a lot of turnover, betting on a 4-2-3-1 with Ullreich in goal, Mazraoui, Upamecano, Pavard and Davies in the back, Kimmich and Sabitzer in the midfield, Coman, Gravenberch and Gnabry behind the lone striker Choupo-Moting.
