Forbidden to make mistakes. For Roma, who have to beat Palermo to get closer to Juve, for Napoli, who have to win again to get back into the Scudetto issue, for Inter, who have reached the last call for a top championship. On paper, the most insidious engagement is that of the Nerazzurri, engaged in Bergamo against the former Gasperini's Atalanta (15 pm). The defeats against Roma and Cagliari require an immediate reaction, otherwise there would be big trouble for both the standings and the coach. To date we cannot speak of a last resort but De Boer's bench is anything but solid and a negative result would make it even more shaky. “There are rumors but I can't help it – glossed over the Dutch coach. – The only thing I have to do is work hard and bring home results, I have a lot of faith in my collaborators and in the team. It's a matter of time but I'm convinced that the road is the right one”. However, no progress can be seen on the pitch, indeed Inter even seem to have taken a step backwards compared to a few weeks ago. Even in society there are many who turn up their noses at the team's performance and the victory over Southampton, far from brilliant, didn't help improve things much. Concrete answers will be needed in Bergamo, which is why De Boer will rely on his classic 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 on trocar behind the lone striker Icardi. Gasperini, ex with the always poisoned tooth, will respond with a 3-4-1-2 with Berisha between the posts, Masiello, Toloi and Konko in the back department, Conti, Kessie, Freuler and Dramè in the midfield, Gagliardini behind the Petagna offensive duo- Gomez. Afternoon commitment also for Sarri's Napoli, called to win in Crotone to get out of the crisis into which he suddenly plunged. The defeats against Atalanta, Roma and Besiktas, as well as ruining the league and Champions league tables, undermined many of the team's certainties, which went from praise to criticism in the space of two weeks. However, the calendar presents a great opportunity to get up: Nicola's Crotone, last with only one point collected, does not seem a particularly difficult obstacle to overcome (but be careful of the Scida effect: the city stadium will finally make its debut in Serie A) . Sarri wants to return to victory and will focus on the usual 4-3-3 with Reina in goal, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly and Strinic in defense, Allan, Diawara and Hamsik in midfield, Callejon, Gabbiadini and Mertens in attack. Nicola will attempt the feat relying on the same form with Cordaz between the posts, Rosi, Dos Santos, Ferrari and Martella in the back department, Capezzi, Crisetig and Salzano in the midfield, Tonev, Falcinelli and Palladino in the offensive trident.
The evening will instead be dedicated to Rome, awaited by the postponement of the Olimpico against Palermo (20.45 pm). The victory in Naples seemed to have finally launched the yellow and reds, but then the draw against Austria Vienna arrived and the atmosphere returned to rumble. “Sometimes we lower our attention and feel tired, we stop and then we start again – sighed Spalletti. – But now let's think about the championship, De Zerbi's team plays better away: it's not a game for granted at all". Actually nothing can be when Roma are on the pitch, but to miss out on success this evening would be truly unforgivable. The Giallorossi coach then has to deal with the usual controversies on the eve, even if this time the catchphrase does not concern Totti but Strootman. The midfielder was the subject of a dispute with coach Blind due to his use during the break, an argument that continued yesterday in the Trigoria press room. "He's right, I don't have time to deal with these things" Spalletti glossed over, however happy to embrace the player again after the stop in the last few days. In today's 4-2-3-1, however, he should start from the bench thanks to Paredes, otherwise all confirmed with Szczesny in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio and Juan Jesus in defence, De Rossi in midfield, Salah, Nainggolan and El Shaarawy on the trocar, Dzeko in attack. De Zerbi will respond with a 3-4-2-1 formation with Posavec in goal, Cionek, Goldaniga and Andelkovic in the back, Rispoli, Gazzi, Henrique and Aleesami in the midfield, Diamanti and Quaison behind the lone striker Nestorovski.
