Take flight or sink again, this time, perhaps, permanently. L'Inter is preparing to face the Lazio (20.45) with the sensation of finding oneself on the edge of a ravine: beating it would mean having learned to fly, equalizing or worse, losing a very heavy fall. How much only time would tell, but it sure would hurt, very badly.
The speech, albeit with the necessary differences, can also apply to the biancocelesti: the initial objectives were not the same, okay, but appetite, as we know, comes with eating and in the Lazio house there are many who have made their mouths in third place. In short, a real big match will be staged at San Siro, one that is impossible to miss. “The only thing that counts is winning, playing well or badly is a secondary thing – he explained Pegs. - It's the results that give you confidence and self-esteem and this is always true, not just for this challenge. Of course, this is very important: Lazio are in good shape, they have 7 points more than us but by winning we could really shorten the standings".
Those of the Nerazzurri coach are irrefutable data: going within 4 of who currently occupies third place (albeit in cohabitation with Napoli), would be quite a coup, as well as the best way to celebrate Christmas.
And a i biancocelesti so far they have traveled much stronger there is a reason, that's why, despite the two consecutive victories with Genoa and Sassuolo, there is no need to get too excited. For Pioli then this is really a special match: his past at Lazio, although it ended badly (Lotito sacked him after a derby loss), has left its mark. “They were two intense, important years – sighed the coach. – Now, however, I am concentrated only on the present, in fact the past no longer counts”.
On the Biancoceleste front, a lot of respect but also the awareness of being able to conquer San Siro and treat yourself, albeit waiting for Rome and Naples, to second place in the standings. “We face a great team, built to finish in the top 3 – the words of Inzaghi. – But we're fine, we just beat Fiorentina with an excellent performance, at least for the first 50 minutes. For the moment the standings are good, now we need to confirm everything and this will be even more difficult”.
Pioli has to do without both Joao Mario and Felipe Melo, both disqualified: the choices, also by virtue of Medel's unavailability, are therefore practically forced and could lead to a return to 4-2-3-1. In defense, in front of Handanovic, space for D'Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo and Nagatomo, Kondogbia and Brozovic in midfield, Candreva, Banega and Perisic in the trocar behind the lone striker Icardi. 4-3-3 for Simone Inzaghi, who will choose Marchetti between the posts, Basta, De Vrij, Wallace and Lulic in the back department, Parolo, Biglia and Milinkovic-Savic in the midfield, Felipe Anderson, Immobile and Keita in the offensive trident.
