Third place first of all. Massimiliano Allegri has no doubts: a victory over Genoa would be more important than one over Barcelona. “I don't want to talk about that match – explained the coach at the press conference. – Now only Marassi's counts, Barça is in six days. In Genoa I will field the best formation, we have to defend third place. There will be no turnover, I don't like to think like this, because three points in Marassi are more important than Barça, who we will think about from Saturday." Strong statements, which arouse different thoughts. On the one hand there are those who agree with Allegri, because third place is an economic guarantee and prestige for next season, on the other there are those who see an attempt to get their hands on what could happen at Camp Nou. Because in Catalunya they are loaded like springs: yesterday's photo of Messi holding in his hand an edition of Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona newspaper, with the unequivocal title "To the quarterfinals".
A game of dubious taste (the page should go on newsstands next Wednesday in the event of qualification) which however risks intimidating Milan. “The Champions League is sporadic and made up of details, the facts prove this – reiterated Allegri. – Chelsea deserved to go all the way three times, then last year they got there with a good dose of luck. We mustn't hope to win the Champions League to do it again next year, the goal is to finish third in the standings to play the preliminaries. If we're good and lucky to go through, then we'll all be happy."
In short, the head to Genoa, which, since Ballardini has been around, has a really important average. “They played well in Rome, they tried and conceded their third goal after time expired – explained the Rossoneri coach. – It's a team that has technical qualities and that has rediscovered an important condition on a psychological and physical level. Then playing in Genoa is not easy, they need points to protect themselves from possible dangers. It will be an important and decisive match for us." That's why tonight there will be no turnover of any kind, despite the fact that next Tuesday the team is awaited by the bedlam of the Camp Nou. There will also be Mario Balotelli, who recovered from the blow to the fibula that left him in the pits against Lazio, but will start from the bench. The only one who will remain out due to technical choice is Abate, for the rest space for the best possible formation, with the trident Niang-Pazzini-El Shaarawy from the first minute (but the Pharaoh and the French should do the relay with Super Mario and Boateng). In the middle of the field space for Flamini, Montolivo and Muntari, while in defense the anti-Lazio Yepes and Mexes line should be confirmed, with Zapata on the bench in view of Barcelona. Because tonight will also be very important, but the Champions League remains something else.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Genoa (3-5-1-1): Frey; Granqvist, Portanova, Moretti; Pisano, Bovo, Rigoni, Vargas, Antonelli; Bertolacci; Borriello.
On the bench: Tzorvas, Donnarumma, Cassani, Ferronetti, Tozser, Jorquera, Jankovic, Immobile.
Trainer: David Ballardini.
Unavailable: Matuzalem, Floro Flores, Olivera, Manfredini, Rossi.
Disqualified: Kucka (1).
Beware: Jankovic, Manfredini.
Milan (4-3-3): Have you; De Sciglio, Mexes, Yepes, Constant; Flamini, Montolivo, Muntari; Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy.
On the bench: Amelia, Gabriel, Abate, Zapata, Zaccardo, Ambrosini, Nocerino, Traoré, Bojan, Boateng, Robinho, Balotelli.
Trainer: Massimiliano Allegri.
Unavailable: Didac Vilà, De Jong, Bonera, Antonini, Salamon.
Disqualified: nobody.
Beware: De Jong, El Shaarawy, Zaccardo, Boateng, Yepes.
Referee: Antonio Damato (Barletta).
Line Assistants: Dobosz – Priests.
Port Assistants: Banti – Mazzoleni.
Fourth official: Marzaloni.
