Matter of points of view. This Saturday in the championship changes a lot depending on the prospects: on the one hand the total serenity of the Italian champion Inter, now concentrated solely and exclusively on celebrating the Scudetto, on the other the anxieties of Naples and Lazio, unable to make a mistake in order not to miss the Champions League train. At San Siro (18 pm) it will be pure and simple entertainment, especially since Ranieri's Sampdoria has no ambitions for the standings, which suggests an open challenge, between two teams free from any worries. The climate of "early holidays", also confirmed by Conte's choice to send the staff to the conference in his place, shouldn't deceive, however: the Nerazzurri will play to win until the last day, in an attempt to end the season with 94 points . Having said that, it is undeniable that very little thought was given to the game during the week and much more to future plans, inevitably in the name of austerity.
This is the key word that filters from the upper echelons of the Nerazzurri, from Zhang to Marotta, passing through Ausilio and Zanetti, all united in reiterating that the costs, despite the Scudetto, must be made more sustainable. The problem is to understand if this suits Conte, whose opinion on the subject has not yet arrived at the moment: it is logical to think that the silence will continue until the end of the season, after which there will be the expected confrontation to decide what to do. The other hot topic of the week was that of the party, which after the controversy over the huge crowds in Piazza Duomo promises to be reduced in size, with a maximum number of three thousand people outside the San Siro. Conte will give space to those who have played less, so we will see a very different 3-5-2 than usual with Handanovic in goal, D'Ambrosio, Ranocchia and Bastoni in defense, Hakimi, Vecino, Eriksen, Gagliardini and Young in midfield, Sanchez and Lautaro Martinez in attack. The usual 4-4-2 instead for Ranieri, who will respond with Audero between the posts, Bereszynski, Tonelli, Colley and Augello in the back department, Candreva, Thorsby, Ekdal and Jankto in the midfield, Quagliarella and Gabbiadini as an offensive duo.
The festive atmosphere in Milan will be diametrically opposite in La Spezia and in Florence, where Naples and Lazio will look for vital points in a Champions League key. The Azzurri already stumbled last Sunday against Cagliari, slipping back to fifth place: that's why another misstep will not be allowed, especially on the weekend of the direct match between Juventus and Milan. A success at the Peak (15 pm) would allow Gattuso to rejoin the group, but woe to underestimate the Ligurians, still entangled in the fight for salvation and already capable of executing several big names (one was Napoli in the first leg). The blue coach then has problems in defense, given the absences of Koulibaly (muscle injury) and Maksimovic (Covid), which increases the degree of difficulty of the match. In any case it will be 4-2-3-1 with Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Rrahmani and Mario Rui in defense, Fabian Ruiz and Demme in midfield, Politano, Zielinski and Insigne behind the lone striker Osimhen. The Italian, often associated with Napoli (but now overtaken by Spalletti), will attempt yet another feat of the season with the usual 4-3-3 with Provedel in goal, Vignali, Ismajli, Erlic and Marchizza in the back, Estevez, Ricci and Major in the median, Agudelo, Piccoli and Gyasi in attack.
The same tension in Florence, where Fiorentina and Lazio will play a match very similar to that of Spezia. Even at the Franchi (20.45 pm) in fact we will compete for the Champions League and salvation, although the margin of error, classification in hand, smiles more to the Viola. In fact, it is the Biancocelesti who play the most, aware that their role as pursuers does not allow for missteps, otherwise they risk compromising the long run-up made so far. “The one in Florence is a very important match, we'll need a great team match, because for us it's fundamental for the standings – confirmed Inzaghi -. They have great quality with experienced players. Vlakhovic? He is certainly doing great things and will be a special watch, like Ribery who is a champion ”. In short, a show in sight, between two teams that will compete with the same game system, or the 3-5-2. Lazio will take the field with Reina in goal, Marusic, Acerbi and Radu in defense, Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Luis Alberto and Lulic in midfield, Immobile and Correa in attack. Iachini will respond with Dragowski between the posts, Milenkovic, Pezzella and Caceres in the backline, Venuti, Amrabat, Pulgar, Bonaventura and Biraghi in the midfield, Vlahovic and Ribery as an offensive duo.
