A run-up with a view of the Champions League. On this Sunday in the championship there are not only Milan and Juventus, but also the others, those who dream of grabbing the last place available for the Europe that counts. In this sense, the spotlights are obviously on Roma-Napoli (20.45), a real play-off for fourth place, but Verona-Atalanta (12.30) and Udinese-Lazio (15) are also giving away important points. At the Olimpico we will witness a very interesting challenge, between Fonseca's giallorossi, the only ones left in Europe to represent our football, and Gattuso's Azzurri, who appeared to be growing sharply after the long period of crisis between January and February. The struggles of the Cup represent a point against Roma, which is still fasting from direct clashes, unless they are transformed into psychological fuel. “We have managed some players and we are ready for this difficult and very important match for us – confirmed Fonseca -. I don't want alibis, the team must be motivated and is motivated: I expect a good performance”.
The Giallorossi, currently sixth on equal points with Napoli (but with one more game), know they can no longer make mistakes, but they will face a team with the same hunger for points and greater physical and mental preparation for the match. In short, an open forecast, especially since both are dealing with important absences. Fonseca will have to do without Mkhitaryan and Veretout and deal with the usual ailments of Smalling, destined for the bench, for a 3-4-2-1 that will see Pau Lopez in goal, Mancini, Cristante and Ibanez in defense, Karsdorp, Villar, Diawara and Spinazzola in midfield, El Shaarawy and Pellegrini behind the lone striker Dzeko, slightly favored over Borja Mayoral. Gattuso, on the other hand, finds Lozano and can finally have some choices available, for a 4-2-3-1 with Ospina between the posts, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in the back, Fabian Ruiz and Demme in the midfield. Politano, Zielinski and Insigne on the trocar, Mertens in attack, with Osimhen ready to take over the match in progress. In case of victory in Verona, however, Atalanta will remain in the Champions League zone, regardless of the result at the Olimpico. The nerazzurri, fresh from the disappointment of Madrid, now want to concentrate all their strength on the championship, to try to play the most important Cup again next year. “
I think the championship is still long, 11 games are a lot – explained Gasperini -. We are all within very few points, no big has failed this year, everyone can reach the top four. Already being in this group is a great achievement, now we want to stay there as long as possible". The challenge against the pupil Juric, the one who comes closest to his football model, however, will require a great expenditure of energy, which is why the Orobic coach will rotate the men a bit compared to Madrid, relying on a 3-4- 1-2 with Gollini in goal, Toloi, Romero and Djimsiti in defense, Maehle, De Roon, Freuler and Ruggeri in midfield, Pessina in the trocar, Muriel and Zapata in attack. The same game system also for Hellas, who will respond with Silvestri in goal, Magnani, Ceccherini and Lovato in the back, Faraoni, Tameze, Veloso and Dimarco in the midfield, Barak and Zaccagni behind the lone striker Lasagna. Whoever hopes to get back into the Champions League is certainly Lazio, at the moment bringing up the rear of the group, but also waiting for a match to recover.
Of course, then there is the trial on the tampon case which could change things (hearing set for March 26), but at the moment the biancocelesti are in full swing and have every right to dream, provided however that they forget Bayern and conquer Udine. “We know the difficulties of the match we will face, Udinese are in an excellent state of form, they are a physical, quality and very well trained team – Inzaghi analyzed -. It will be a very delicate match for us, but we need a victory after the one against Crotone". The coach, forced to give up Luiz Felipe and Caicedo, will try with the usual 3-5-2 with Reina in goal, Patric, Acerbi and Radu in defense, Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Luis Alberto and Marusic in midfield , Muriqi and Immobile in attack. Same line-up also for Gotti, who will respond with Musso in goal, Becao, Bonifazi and Nuytinck in the back, Molina, De Paul, Arslan, Walace and Stryger Larsen in the midfield, Pereyra in support of the lone striker Llorente.
