Welcome back Champions League! The most important European event opens today and it does so immediately with a very rich menu, especially for the Italian teams who, between tonight and tomorrow, will have to deal with three top exponents of the football elite. It obviously stands out Paris Saint Germain v Juventus, a thrilling race both on and off the field, given the positions at the antipodes of Al-Khelaifi and Andrea Agnelli, while the Milan, at least on paper, has an easier commitment (but still not to be taken lightly) a Salzburg.
Psg-Juventus (21pm, Canale 5, Sky and Now)
A night of stars at the Parco dei Principi, even if above all from the Parisian side: Allegri, in fact, in addition to Pogba (in the end he decided to have meniscus surgery: the World goal, Juve will see him again in January), will also have to give up Di Maria, still struggling with muscle pain. The challenge, even for these absences, seems to be prohibitive, but the black and whites still have a duty to gamble, in defiance of the post-Florence declarations of their own coach, who had indicated Benfica as the only equal opponent. In any case, even knowing that you can lose in Paris, it is right to expect a change in mentality, up to now too fearful of corporate ambitions: PSG is hungry for the Champions League, but Juve too must not be outdone.
Allegri: "Psg favorite for the Champions League, we only need 10 points to pass"
Max didn't retract what he said to Franchi, if anything he shifted his focus to the club's real objective, thus passing the group regardless of today's result. "We're facing one of the strongest opponents in Europe, in fact I'm telling you that for me he's the number one favorite to win the Champions League - the Juventus coach pointed out - However I'm sure we'll play a great game, even if we'll have to be very careful and try to limit their samples. To pass the round you need 10 points, whether it's 3 this time or the next one changes little: first you have to get through the group and go to the knockout stages, then a new Champions League will start in March".
Galtier: “Allegri says we are the favourites? It is the malice of the Italian coaches…”
However, Allegri's compliments didn't please Christophe Galtier much, evidently already under pressure of his own. “He has more experience than me and that malice typical of Italian coaches – retorted the French coach – Every year there are 8-9 teams that can potentially win the Champions League and we are among them, but to say that we are favourites… I really don't think ”.
Psg-Juventus, the formations
It cannot be said that Juventus arrive at the Paris night with the best possible formation, indeed in addition to Pogba, who, as previously mentioned, will return only after the World Cup (provided he recovers in time to go there), Di Maria is also missing, left in Turin to continue his therapies after the (unsuccessful) intermezzo in Florence. Allegri will therefore not have his brightest stars, but will still be able to field a respectable 4-3-3 with Perin in goal, Danilo, Bonucci, Bremer and Alex Sandro in defense, Locatelli, Paredes and Rabiot in midfield, Cuadrado, Vlahovic and Kostic up front. No lack of prestige instead for Galtier, who will rely on the 3-4-3 type with Donnarumma between the posts, Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos and Kimpembe in the back, Hakimi, Renato Sanches, Verratti and Mendes in the midfield, Messi, Mbappé and Neymar in the offensive trident.
Salzburg-Milan (21pm, Sky and Now)
The trip to Milan is less impressive, but they will still have to pay attention to Salzburg, perhaps the most insidious opponent to contend for a place against Chelsea, the obligatory favorite of the group. However, the Rossoneri, in addition to having the Scudetto on their chests, are returning from a won derby which could give them further emotional fuel, especially since the desire to emerge in Europe is also great, especially after the last experience. There is curiosity in understanding whether this Milan, after making the leap to Italy, will be able to repeat itself in the international arena, which means going through (the group is within reach) and reaching the knockout stage.
Pioli: "Salzburg difficult, but by now we know how to stay at these levels"
Pioli is well aware that the mission also passes through Salzburg, given that a negative result would force the Rossoneri to chase after them from the start, thus transforming the matches with Chelsea into real inside or outside matches. “They are tough opponents, but now, unlike last year, we know how to play at these levels – explained the Rossoneri coach -. We have to show that we have grown and that past experience has served us, and we also know that starting with a positive result would be very important. We archived the success in the derby the next morning, this is another competition: we will need to play with enthusiasm, bearing in mind that Salzburg never lost in their home games in the last Champions League”.
Salzburg-Milan, the formations
The efforts of the derby are still fresh, but Milan cannot afford to make a turnover, especially after the unsuccessful experiments in Reggio Emilia. In Austria we will therefore see the star players, with the only doubt between Saelemaekers (favourite) and Messias on the right wing, for a 4-2-3-1 with Maignan in goal, Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori and Hernandez in defense, Tonali and Bennacer in midfield, Saelemaekers, De Ketelaere and Leao in the frontline, Giroud in attack. Jaissle, after showing great respect at the press conference ("they are very strong, a half miracle would be needed"), will attempt the coup with a 4-3-1-2 with Kohn between the posts, Dedic, Solet, Wober and Ulmer in the back, Capaldo, Seiwald and Kjaergaard in the middle, Kameri behind the offensive duo formed by Fernando and Okafor.
