A poker of Champions. There Juventus submerges the Dinamo Zagreb under a rain of goals and, finally, makes a big voice even in the European arena. Of course, the opponent was the weakest in the group and before abandoning oneself to easy enthusiasm, confirmations of greater depth will be needed, in any case, the bianconeri were called to win by convincing and it is appropriate to say that they succeeded.
Maksimir's 0-4 is deserved and impresses above all for the way it arrived: mistress of the field from the first minutes, author of a match of the highest technical quality, the Lady showed off a Barcelona or Bayern-style performance, right to mention the hottest top clubs in Europe.
“Winning is important but we still have to improve in terms of the game – thought Massimiliano Allegri. – In the second half, however, we were not very clean with the ball at our feet, we need to work on this ".
Hearing criticism after a game like this almost makes you smile, especially thinking of the compliments after Palermo, on the other hand, the Juventus coach is very good at managing the group from a psychological point of view and knows when it's time to lift morale (like Saturday) or turn off easy enthusiasm.
In his heart, however, he can only be satisfied with a match dominated from the first to the last minute, addressed with two goals in the first half (Pjanic on 23' and Higuain on 31') and two in the second (58' Dybala, 85' Dani Alves). In particular, that of Joya should be emphasized, finally unlocked after a seasonal fast that was starting to arouse some perplexity.
A much busier evening at home awaits Napoli, engaged against the Portuguese champions of Benfica. The ranking would say that the Azzurri are favourites, while the international palmares favors Rui Vitoria's men. A climate of uncertainty that is not pleasing to Maurizio Sarri, quite determined to give his opponents big status.
“We face the fourth seeded team in the Champions League – he explained at the press conference. – They are strong, I've never seen them in trouble against anyone and I remember that last year they made Bayern Munich tremble. They have great technique and ball management, and they also know how to do well in defense. It will be an insidious, dangerous and difficult match, we will need all the help we can from the fans as well”.
In short, no reverential fear but the right respect for a team that is always present in the Champions League, capable of a continuity hitherto unknown to the Azzurri. However, they seem to have a higher technical rate and will try to get a victory that would confirm them in first place in the group, effectively mortgaging the pass for the round of XNUMX.
Sarri's 4-3-3 will see Reina in goal, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly and Ghoulam in defense, Allan, Jorginho and Hamsik in midfield, Callejon, Milik and Mertens in attack. Rui Vitoria, forced to give up important elements such as Jonas and Raul Jimenez, will respond with a 4-4-2 with Julio Cesar in goal, Semedo, Lopez, Lindelof and Grimaldo in the back, Salvio, Horta, Fejsa and Pizzi in the midfield , Guedes and Mitroglu up front.
