Hunting for Europe. Milan and Inter are preparing to resume the championship with the awareness of having their destiny in their hands, in one sense or another. Winning with Chievo and Cagliari would mean advancing significantly in the standings, vice versa a false step would have the bitter taste of a wasted opportunity, with all the consequences. This is especially true for the Nerazzurri, who are looking forward to a fairly affordable match (on paper of course) at the San Siro against Cagliari (15pm). Rastelli's rossoblu have not picked up even one point away from Sant'Elia, moreover they tend to let their opponents play a lot. Ideal situation for De Boer's Inter, provided they don't repeat the mistakes already made with Palermo and Bologna: both in fact presented themselves in Milan as sacrificial victims and then came out with a smile on their faces. “It's clear that we can't lose too many points, especially at home – admitted the Dutch coach in the press conference. – From now on I always want to win at San Siro, we already have a gap from third place and from the top, to keep up we need to get results. For me it's just a matter of improving a few small things, when we succeed we will win many games." It will have to be done quickly, starting this afternoon. De Boer will be able to field the typical formation (even if it is good to remember that many players only returned on Friday), therefore 4-2-3-1 with Handanovic in goal, Ansaldi, Miranda, Murillo and Santon in defence, Medel and Joao Mario in midfield, Candreva, Banega and Perisic in the frontline to support the lone striker Icardi. Rastelli, chasing the first point away from Cagliari, will respond with the classic 4-3-1-2 which will see Storari between the posts, Pisacane, Ceppitelli, Bruno Alves and Murru in the back, Munari, Tachtsidis and Padoin in the midfield, Di Gennaro behind the Borriello-Sau offensive duo.
In the evening, the spotlights will be on Milan, on stage in the Bentegodi match against Chievo (20.45 pm). A high-ranking match and not only thanks to the Rossoneri: the Venetians are having a great championship, as demonstrated by the fact that they will challenge their rivals with the same points in the standings. A match of great balance is expected, especially if the previous ones are taken into consideration: the last 3 meetings in Verona all finished 0-0. “It's a difficult team, with an expert coach and a mentalized environment – Montella's analysis. – The way I see it, they are a small Juventus in terms of corporate organization, but we want to win to really feel the scent of Europe. We've been struggling lately after the stops, which is also why we need to get a result". In fact it is exactly like this: the last time after the national team the Rossoneri dropped 3 heavy points at San Siro against Udinese. To avoid this, the Rossoneri coach seems oriented towards relying on fresher men, both in midfield and in attack. There are essentially two ballots: Locatelli-Sosa in the middle, Lapadula-Bacca in front. There are no absolute certainties but Milan's 4-3-3 should see Donnarumma in goal, Abate, Paletta, Romagnoli and De Sciglio in defense, Kucka, Locatelli and Bonaventura in midfield, Suso, Lapadula and Niang in attack. Maran, still unbeaten in this championship at Bentegodi, will attempt yet another coup relying on the usual 4-3-1-2, with Sorrentino between the posts, Cacciatore, Dainelli, Gamberini and Gobbi in the back, Castro, Radovanovic and Rigoni in the middle , Birsa on the trocar behind the English-Meggiorini attack duo.
