Is always Inter-Juventus. Even if it matters less than usual, for obvious ranking reasons, the match between the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri (20.30 pm) still retains a charm that is difficult to match, as well as a rivalry that makes it simply unique. With these premises it is clear that nobody wants to lose, regardless of a scudetto already mathematically won or an increasingly safe Champions area: the derby d'Italia must be won regardless, if only to displease its long-standing rival. However, it is clear that, beyond the match itself, Inter and Juve are already thinking about the future, as amply demonstrated by an unusual eve, in which very little was said about the pitch and a lot about everything else.
“There will be a confrontation with President Agnelli, you need to be lucid in planning to try to win the ninth consecutive Scudetto, the Champions League and all the rest – explained Allegri. – Every new season everyone starts from zero points, 88 are needed to win Serie A, what we have done is in history, the rest is just talk.” The permanence of the coach from Livorno on the black and white bench, as announced, still requires various underpinnings, starting with a contract renewal (the current one expires in 2020) with an increase in wages (from 7,5 million to 10 million including bonuses ), ending at a sort of carte blanche in the market, deemed necessary to (re)try to win the Champions League.
But if the marriage between Allegri and Juve, albeit on the right track, is still to be done, the one between Spalletti and Inter really seems destined to end at the end of the season. The rumors about Conte (moreover also insistently requested by Rome) have helped to make public what has been known for a long time: Marotta has decided to move on and bet on someone else, with all due respect to Luciano who, not surprisingly, came out on the eve of the Derby d'Italia. “The club must do good for Inter, if I too am among the changes to be made, I will accept it – his thoughts at the press conference. – At the end of the season we will sum up also by giving names and surnames, saying who works correctly and who incorrectly…”.
The reference could be addressed not only to journalists, but also, if not above all, to those in society who have not (according to him) worked alongside him in the best way. In all of this, it should be remembered, there is a game to be played and, possibly, won. Juve obviously has nothing to ask for in terms of points but that doesn't mean they want to make a bad impression, on the contrary: beating Inter could be a good way to make peace with that part of the fans, which is quite large to tell the truth, still angry about the elimination from the Champions League. Allegri will therefore field a very competitive 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini and Alex Sandro in defence, Emre Can, Pjanic and Matuidi in midfield, Cuadrado, Ronaldo and Bernardeschi in attack.
Points that weigh instead for Inter, who with a possible victory could close the Champions League discussion: Spalletti knows this well but this shouldn't exempt him from leaving Icardi on the bench again, who has now become a full-fledged reserve. The Nerazzurri 4-2-3-1 will see Handanovic in goal, D'Ambrosio, De Vrij, Skriniar and Asamoah in the back, Vecino and Brozovic in the midfield, Politano, Nainggolan and Perisic in the frontline behind the lone striker Lautaro Martinez. Roma could put further pressure on Inter, who will take the field at 18pm against Cagliari. The match at the Olimpico, at least on paper, is one not to fail for any reason: the Sardinians are now calm, but above all we need to take advantage of the concomitant direct clash between Turin and Milan, scheduled for tomorrow evening.
In short, Ranieri could find himself in fourth place with a view even on third, provided of course that you do your duty and take home the 3 points. “You always have to respect every opponent, the boys are working very hard and seriously to be able to compete for this place in the Champions League – warned the Giallorossi coach. – There are several teams in contention, it would be foolish to take a game lightly against a team like Cagliari that never gives up”. Instead, there is no controversy over the rumors that Pallotta is in constant contact with Conte, in an attempt to override Inter and bring him to the Roma bench in his place: after all, Sor Claudio knew from the beginning that he was only a ferryman, with the only mission to reach fourth place.
A lot therefore passes from this Saturday in the championship that the Giallorossi will face with an ultra-offensive 4-4-2: Mirante in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio and Kolarov in defense, Under, Nzonzi, Pellegrini and El Shaarawy in midfield, Schick and Dzeko in attack. 4-3-2-1 by order also for Maran, determined to seal salvation with a feat that would please President Giulini very much, therefore Cragno (moreover Roma's own objective) between the posts, Cacciatore, Pisacane, Ceppitelli and Luca Pellegrini in the back department, Barella, Cigarini and Ionita in the midfield, Birsa and Joao Pedro in support of the sole striker Pavoletti.
