Make it or brake it. The two days of the Champions League begins with two decisive matches, in particular for theInter, called to win in that of Moenchengladbach to keep alive hopes of qualification. Of course, Atalanta also play a lot against little Midtjylland (if they don't win, the games would get much more complicated), but it is clear that for Tale the night is already from inside or outside: either they beat Borussia or they are out of the Champions League.
“We have to give our best to have no regrets – confirmed the coach at the press conference – We know it won't be an easy match, but at the same time it's an opportunity for us. After the match against Real Madrid there were many negative judgments, forgetting however that we played in 10: I challenge anyone to overturn a match in numerical inferiority with a team like that, instead we stayed in the game…”.
True, but it is fair to make a couple of clarifications. The first is that the episodes are not wrong, but two enormous ingenuities procured by the Interisti themselves, the second is that today's Real Madrid is light years away from the squadron of the past, as demonstrated by Saturday's defeat against Alaves. In short, the Nerazzurri could and should have done better, instead they are last in the group with just two points, behind even Shakhtar in this edition's mattress version.
All is not yet lost: in case of victory in Germany, the games would be decided in a week, even if Inter would still depend on the result of Real-Borussia. However, we will eventually think about this only next Wednesday, because first there is a game to be won at all costs, otherwise we will say goodbye to the Champions League in an undignified way. Conte will have to give up the suspended Vidal and the usual Kolarov, Vecino, Nainggolan and Pinamonti, but for the rest he will be able to count on an almost complete squad, including that Brozovic finally negative for the Covid swab.
His 3-5-2 will see Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defense, Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Gagliardini and Young in midfield, Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez in attack. Rose, surprisingly leading the group with 8 points (in the Bundesliga instead he sails in seventh place at minus 7 from leaders Bayern), will try to close the qualification speech with the usual 4-2-3-1: Sommer between the posts, Lainer, Ginter, Jantschke and Wendt in the back, Neuhaus and Kramer in the midfield, Herrmann, Stindl and Thuram behind the lone striker Plea.
Important evening also for Atalanta, called to beat the Midtjylland to keep alive the hopes of the round of 3. A success would have great value, also because in the meantime Liverpool and Ajax will compete at Anfield, inevitably taking away points from each other, failing instead would have the bitter taste of failure, especially since the Danes are the mattress team of the group and, perhaps, of the entire Champions League. The XNUMX points would allow the Goddess to go all out in Amsterdam in a position of strength, which is why they must be conquered without ifs and buts.
“We hope to get to the last game with two results available – he admitted Gasperini – Having said that, the match against Midtjylland is not decisive and in any case qualifying for the round of XNUMX, in light of the group we have, would be a great result. The lads are commendable, they are doing their utmost to get ahead in all competitions."
However, the coach hopes to find the Liverpool team again, certainly not that of Saturday against Verona, but in this sense the Champions League tune could help him. Net of the numerous absences (Gollini, Gosens, Pasalic, Miranchuk, Malinovskyi, Caldara and Depaoli), the 3-4-1-2 from Bergamo will still be competitive with Sportiello in goal, Toloi, Palomino and Djimsiti in defence, Hateboer, Freuler, De Roon and Mojica in midfield, Gomez in the frontline, Muriel and Zapata in attack.
Priske, hunting for the first point in the group, will attempt the feat with a 4-2-3-1 that will see Hansen between the posts, Cools, James, Scholz and Paulinho in the back, Onyeka and Madsen in the midfield, Dreyer, Sisto and Mabil behind the lone striker Kaba.
