Under the banner of the game. The championship of Milan and Rome begins with this prerogative, or at least this is the intention. Indeed, after the summer announcements the time has come to let the pitch do the talking starting today, with the Rossoneri expected from the away game in Udine (18 pm) and the Giallorossi from the home match against Genoa (20.45 pm). Both arrive at it with few certainties and many perplexities, dictated above all by the respective open construction sites.
“I don't know the evolution of the market, but I don't even think about it, I would burn nervous energy – sighed Giampaolo. – Whoever is in the control room also sees the training sessions, we clearly discuss each other, they know what to do if there is the possibility of intervening. We carried out the work as we had planned, the only thing is that some players arrived late…”.
Yes, because beyond the operations still in progress, incoming (Correa) and outgoing (André Silva, Kessié and many, many others), the coach cannot even count on those who have already arrived, or at least not 100% . A matter of injuries (Theo Hernandez) and physical condition (Krunic, Bennacer and Leao), as well as a lack of tactical knowledge of the game system. In short, at the Dacia Arena (and perhaps also next Saturday with Brescia) it will be "old" Milan, in the hope that the last few days of the transfer market will go according to the plans of the club and the coach.
“This team must be competitive right now, eleven real players will be on the pitch – replied Giampaolo. – The matches are also played on other aspects, not just on tactics. Nobody is nagging us about the goals but I guarantee that we are not here to play a part, we have to give our best". So no excuses but only the search for 3 points, in the presence of an opponent that is insidious but still inferior, from all points of view.
Giampaolo, as previously mentioned, will rely on those who were already there last year, albeit with some significant differences. First of all the game system, which will pass from the "Gattusian" 4-3-3 to the 4-3-1-2 so dear to Berlusconi, and then the interpretations of the roles, with Calhanoglu in the control room, Borini half-back and Suso attacking midfielder. At the Dacia Arena, therefore, we will see an "old-new Milan" with Donnarumma in goal, Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli and Rodriguez in defence, Borini, Calhanoglu and Paquetà in midfield, Suso behind the attacking couple Piatek-Castillejo.
Tudor, very confirmed after last season's salvation, will look for a start with a bang by relying on a 3-4-2-1 with Musso between the posts, Becao, Troost-Ekong and Samir in the back, Stryger Larsen, Mandragora, Jajalo and Pezzella in the median, Pussetto and De Paul in support of the only striker Lasagna. Many expectations also on Rome, called to cancel last year's disappointments and return to playing a leading role.
To do it Pallotta has chosen the path of revolution, changing sporting director, coach and, above all, sending away two flags like Totti and De Rossi. Choices viewed with distrust by the environment, which now expects results to match: the reactions, on the other hand, would be easily imaginable. “I'm sure our fans will support us – replied Fonseca. – Winning is not enough, I want mine to be a dominant team, to have possession, to play in the offensive half of the pitch: I'm not going back on this point…".
The speech made previously for Giampaolo also applies to the Portuguese coach: his Roma is still an open building site, both in entry (especially in defence) and in exit. Against Genoa therefore, with the exception of the goalkeeper, they risk seeing the same team as last year, waiting for the market to take its course.
"I'm not talking about players who aren't here, we know that we need a central but he will have to be someone who improves the team – specified Fonseca. – For the rest, I'm fully satisfied with the squad available, including Dzeko: I've always been confident that he would stay".
The great certainty of the new Rome is the game system, which with the Portuguese will undoubtedly be 4-2-3-1. The first seasonal version of the Giallorossi will therefore see Pau Lopez in goal, Florenzi, Fazio, Juan Jesus and Kolarov in defence, Veretout and Cristante in midfield, Zaniolo, Pellegrini and Under behind the lone striker Dzeko. There is also a lot of curiosity for Andreazzoli's Genoa, capable of receiving praise (and a better bench) despite being relegated to Serie B with Empoli.
Preziosi, unlike in the past, has invested above all in entry and now there are many who think that the rossoblu could prove to be the surprise of the championship. Whether they will succeed from the start is not known, they will certainly try with a 3-5-2 that will see Radu between the posts, Biraschi, Romero and Zapata in the back, Ghiglione, Lerager, Schone, Radovanovic and Criscito in median, Kouamé and Pinamonti in attack.
