The opportunity is exploited by Lazio. Which wins the first of its "finals" and takes second place, albeit with one game more than Roma. Nothing to do instead for Sampdoria, once again unable to close the games for sixth place. However, Inter's defeat makes Marassi's defeat less bitter: 180 minutes from the end of the championship, the 2-point lead weighs, and how they weigh.
Test of great maturity instead for Pioli's Lazio, which starts the most important week of the year in a great way. On Wednesday there will be the Italian Cup final with Juventus, on Sunday (or Monday, depending on the decisions of the League) the derby against Roma. “The team knew how to react to the defeat against Inter – Pioli explained radiantly. – It was a fundamental crossroads for our season, very few teams managed to win in Genoa. We are deserving of these results, now we want to play our cards even with a team like Juve". Marassi's match was hard fought and, just as expected, beautiful and fun.
Scores rained down on both sides and the fact that only one entered is essentially the result of chance. Decisive Santiago Gentiletti, for one of those stories that make football special. In fact, last September 21, the Argentine, in that same stadium (against Genoa), broke the cruciate ligament in his left knee: a bad injury which, in fact, kept him out for the whole season. Yesterday the former San Lorenzo defender scored a very important goal with his knee (the right), giving Lazio a night in second place.
However, the ball remains in Roma's feet, which this evening (20.45 pm) will receive Udinese in a match to be won at all costs. Otherwise the pre-derby week would be very heavy and this one just ended, in comparison, it would almost seem like a walk. Very delicate moment, certified by a withdrawal (albeit intermittently) wanted more by the square than by the coach. “This type of punishment is not part of my culture – admitted Garcia from the Trigoria press room. – But I have never said that it is useless, if it is done intelligently it can improve the preparation of the matches.
I don't have to treat my players like children, they are professionals and don't need a bad dad." Important words, from those who, for the umpteenth time, have chosen to put their face on it. It will be up to the team to respond on the field, against a Udinese side with no goals in the standings and therefore to be beaten at all costs. “We will have to be ready to die on the field – the speech of the French coach. – There are three games left, fate is between our feet: if we win the next two we will be second, that's what counts”. And then down with Udinese, who the Giallorossi will face without the suspended Florenzi but with an extra Totti.
After the three consecutive benches, the captain will be the starter again, in an attacking trident with Iturbe and Ljajic (favorite over Ibarbo). Everything else is confirmed: De Sanctis in goal, Torosidis, Manolas, Astori and Holebas in defence, Pjanic, De Rossi and Nainggolan in midfield. Stramaccioni, ex of the challenge, will try the rudeness relying on the 4-3-1-2, in which however Totò Di Natale will be missing, unavailable and not even called up. Then tomorrow, once the games are over, the League's decision will arrive on the derby for the next round.
Lazio pushes to postpone it to Monday, Rome is not there. “Rules are rules, you have to abide by them,” Garcia teased, referring to the fact that, to date, no one has ever gotten a postponement to Monday for playing on the Wednesday before. However, we will think about this only from tomorrow. Because the duel for the Capital passes first from Roma-Udinese.
