A big Wednesday. Inter and Napoli are preparing for a night not for the faint of heart, in which they will have to give everything (and perhaps more) to bring home two positive results. Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain, moreover, need no introduction: for them palmares, history and coat of arms speak for themselves, as well as obviously the numbers of the current season.
Both lead their respective championships by scoring goals in succession (even 37 in just 10 days for the French!) and giving a show on all fields, a logical consequence of the many champions available. Facing them is scary, especially in the basins of the Camp Nou and the Parco dei Principi, which have always been rather lacking in satisfaction for those who come from outside, but if you look closely, Inter and Napoli can have their say, all right.
The nerazzurri come from seven consecutive victories between league and cup, the last in a derby that has raised the level of enthusiasm to a huge degree, furthermore Barça will miss Leo Messi, not just any absence. And then the group B standings see them in the lead with six points ahead of Tottenham, not yet enough to feel qualified but enough to play with a mind free of excessive pressure.
"With Messi they would have been even stronger but they remain a group full of talent, it's normal that they are favorites - Spalletti glossed over at the press conference - We have high self-esteem and we want to play with our weapons, provided however that we don't fall into 'arrogance given our good time”.
After all, he too has two heavy absences to take into consideration: in fact, Brozovic has joined Nainggolan, still lame after the ailments of the derby. The coach doesn't feel like taking risks in such a delicate moment of the season, which is why, even without changing his 4-2-3-1, he won't force his recovery. In defense, in front of Handanovic, Vrsaljko, De Vrij, Miranda and Asamoah will act, with Skriniar advanced in midfield together with Vecino in support of a trocar composed of Candreva, Borja Valero and Perisic, all with the untouchable Icardi in attack.
Doubts also for Valverde, forced to give up the Messi totem: in his place, in the classic Blaugrana 4-3-3, there will be Coutinho. Everything else confirmed with Ter Stegen in goal, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Lenglet and Jordi Alba in the back, Arthur, Busquets and Rakitic in the midfield, Suarez and Dembelé to complete the offensive trident.
Creepy evening also for Napoli, "forced" to visit Tuchel's PSG. On paper, this is the most delicate match of the evening, also because the Azzurri, compared to Inter, have a much more undefined ranking situation. For Ancelotti it is a return to a place where he has indeed won (Ligue 1 2012/13) but without ever being truly loved: one more reason to make a coup, or at least to try.
“These two matches could be decisive – admitted the coach – It's a very complicated commitment but we're used to playing as underdogs, and invincible teams don't exist. They certainly have incredible potential but the match against Liverpool gave us a lot of awareness."
A very difficult mission but made a little more possible by Insigne's recovery: Lorenzo has recovered and tonight he will be regularly on the field in the blue 4-4-2 which will see Ospina in goal, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defence, Callejon, Allan, Hamsik and Zielinski in midfield, Mertens in attack.
Usual 4-2-3-1 also for Tuchel, who will respond with Areola between the posts, Meunier, Marquinhos, Kimpembe and Bernat in the back, Verratti and Rabiot in the midfield, Mbappé, Neymar and Di Maria in the trocar behind the only Cavani tip.
