A Saturday with a View title. Before Lecce-Naples (18pm), then Inter-Verona (20.45), in a round that promises to have a significant impact on the title race. The last weekend changed the balance, with Conte overtaking Inzaghi after the latter had been beaten by Ranieri: it is therefore logical that, with only four days to go, the blue are become the favorites, even because Inter, in the meantime, is spending very important energies against the Barcelona. However, the games are not over yet, in fact many think that this could be the key day, given that the Naples, after Lecce, will have to deal with three opponents potentially without objectives. But first there is the obstacle Salento, to which the remaining Nerazzurri hopes are clinging tightly.
Lecce – Naples (18pm, Dazn)
What will take place at the Via del Mare is anything but a simple match: it is a red-hot tailspin, a Southern derby that intertwines history, pride and a very high stake. On one side, Lecce desperately hunting for salvation points, on the other Napoli, who cannot afford to make any missteps if they want to keep Inter at bay in the Scudetto race. Two teams with opposing goals, but united by a desperate need to win. That alone would be enough to heat up the atmosphere. But in the middle there is also a never-ending rivalry between the fans, fueled by episodes and tensions that have their roots in the past. Among these, the Salento hatred towards Antonio Conte stands out, born in Lecce but a Juventus fan by adoption, never forgiven for that fiery celebration in 1997 after a goal against Lecce, on his return from a long injury. A gesture that still stings today in the Salento area and that adds spice to an already incandescent challenge. In this high-tension climate, Conte also has to deal with the usual physical problems. The latest blow is the stoppage of Buongiorno, who ended his season prematurely during the challenge with Torino. The defense must be reinvented, therefore: in front of Meret there will be Rrahmani and Olivera adapted to the center, unless Marin is deployed in the center, freeing Olivera on the wing. Di Lorenzo and Spinazzola will complete the line, ensuring thrust and solidity on the outside. In midfield, Anguissa is seen again, ready to return alongside Lobotka and provide muscle and order in midfield. In the 4-4-2 designed by Conte, the outsides will be Politano and McTominay, with the attacking pair composed of Raspadori and Lukaku, called upon to assert their physique and technique against a Lecce defense that dances too often and that, under pressure, has shown more than one crack this season. Napoli wants to escape, Lecce wants to cling to Serie A: on the Via del Mare pitch a heart-pounding Saturday is taking place, where every ball will weigh like a boulder and no one will be able to afford distractions. A challenge that promises sparks, on and off the pitch.
Conte: “Important match, but there are three more to go… Congratulations to Inter for Barcelona”
"There are 4 games left for everyone, both for us and for Lecce it can't be the most important game, because we have three more after that - explained Conte -. For me it has always been a different game from the others, I am from Lecce, I was born in Lecce and I became a man in Lecce. The feelings I have towards the people of Lecce cannot be changed by anyone, I am tied to this city for life. I grew up in that stadium and in that club before going elsewhere. The main objective has been achieved early, we are in the Champions League and you know how much it counts economically for all the big clubs. Let's not forget that two weeks ago we were 3 points down, this must serve to maintain calm and humility that must never be lost by the Napoli environment that must understand that we are all participating together for something unexpected, no one imagined it, but we must remain united, humble, with our feet on the ground. There are 4 games left and I have had experiences in which I lost and won Scudetti on the last day. There is only one team that wins, but the boys have worked in a humble way, without flights of fancy, the substance is important. I want to sincerely congratulate Inter for the match in Barcelona, but they must make it clear that the Italian championship is of an important level and also that Napoli, by giving a team like that a hard time, is really doing something extraordinary”.
Lecce – Napoli, probable formations
Lecce (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Coulibaly, Kaba; Pierotti, Pierret, Morente; Krstovic
On the bench: Fruchtl, Samooja, Veiga, Tiago Gabriel, Berisha, Sala, Ramadani, Helgason, Rafia, N'Dry, Burnete, Karlsson, Banda, Rebic
Coach: Giampaolo
Unavailable: Jean, Marchwinski
Disqualified: None
Napoli (4-4-2): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola; Politano, Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Lukaku, Raspadori
On the bench: Scuffet, Turi, Mazzocchi, Marin, Billing, Gilmour, Hasa, Okafor, Simeone, Ngonge
Coach: Conte
Unavailable: Contini, Juan Jesus, Neres, Buongiorno
Disqualified: None
Inter – Verona (20.45pm, Dazn and Sky)
The mind is already all on Barcelona, there's no point in hiding it, but first there's the penultimate act of a rollercoaster championship to honor. Verona is coming to San Siro, a humble opponent, certainly more "human" than the alien Yamal, but far from a nuisance for Inzaghi's gang. The -3 from Napoli has dampened the dreams of a second Scudetto, but the adrenaline of Montjuic could also reignite the race in Serie A. Conte's comeback is complicated, not impossible, and the reasoned turnover remains sacred, with the semifinal in sight. Inzaghi, suspended for the ultras affair, will leave the bench to his assistant Farris, also fresh from a discounted stop against Roma. The watchword is rest for the Champions League veterans. Almost extreme rotations: barring any surprises, only two of Barcelona's starters should start from the first minute even against the Venetians. Yann Sommer, inevitable, and Bisseck, called to cover for Pavard's absence. De Vrij returns in the middle, while Carlos Augusto is ready to take on the role of left-footed centre-back to give Acerbi and Bastoni a rest, already focused on Tuesday's match. Eyes are also on the wings, where Dimarco, worn out by Yamal's forays, should rest, just like Dumfries, who has just returned after a long layoff (space for Zalewski and Darmian). In the middle, Calhanoglu's suspension adds to the need to protect Barella and Mkhitaryan, generous heroes at Montjuic. It's up to Asllani to take the stage again, flanked by the usual Frattesi and Zielinski, who hasn't started since February 25 (Coppa Italia against Lazio). Up front, they have to deal with the very serious absence of Lautaro and start drawing the chessboard for Tuesday. Marcus Thuram, back in the spotlight with his magical backheel against Barça, will be the one to watch in view of the Champions League, while tonight the ballot is between Arnautovic, Correa and Taremi, with the first two favored given that the Iranian should take the field in the Champions League. It is clear that the depth of the turnover (and the possibility of actually changing nine out of eleven) will also depend on Napoli's result: if Lecce manages to trip up Conte, who knows, maybe the temptation to dare more will grow, to keep alive a seemingly distant dream of the Scudetto.
Inter – Verona, probable formations
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Carlos Augusto; Darmian, Frattesi, Asllani, Zielinski, Zalewski; Arnautovic, Correa
On the bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dimarco, Dumfries, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Thuram, Taremi
Coach: Inzaghi (suspended, Farris on the bench)
Unavailable: Pavard, Lautaro
Suspended: Calhanoglu
Verona (3-5-1-1): Montipò; Daniliuc, Valentini, Frese; Tchatchoua, Serdar, Niasse, Duda, Bradaric; Suslov; Sarr
On the bench: Perilli, Berardi, Slotsager, Patrick, Oyegoke, Faraoni, Lazovic, Kastanos, Bernede, Cisse, Lambourde, Tengstedt, Livramento, Mosquera, Ajayi
Coach: Zanetti
Unavailable: Harroui, Dawidowicz
Disqualified: Ghilardi, Coppola
