Head to the championship. The big Italians, after the European feast in recent days (only Lazio was missing), are ready to dive back into the Serie A routine, already started yesterday with the victories of Atalanta e Sassuolo su Empoli (2-1, goals by De Roon and Hojlund after the initial goal by Ebuehi) e Spezia (1-0, Berardi on penalty). Today the most interesting clash is the one between Udinese and Milan, with the Rossoneri called to win in order not to jeopardize the Champions area. Making mistakes again after Fiorentina and Salernitana, as well as being dangerous, would be truly unforgivable, given that tomorrow there will be Inter-Juventus e Lazio-Rome: direct clashes to be exploited to earn points in the standings, provided however that you conquer the Dacia Arena.
Udinese – Milan (20.45 pm, DAZN and Sky)
The eve, for obvious reasons, was catalysed by Champions League draws, which designated an all-Italian clash between Milan and Naples, but the Rossoneri can't get distracted by what's to come, above all because the present is called the championship and the games there are quite uncertain.
Pioli has always said that the number one goal, with the Scudetto gone, is to enter the squad first four to go to the Champions League again next year, so Udine becomes a very important stage, not to be missed for any reason. The Devil also had a week free from commitments, which should help both physically and mentally: after this match there will be a break, equally useful for recharging the batteries (many, however, will go around with their respective national teams) in view of the tour de force in April, in which the fate of the season will be decided. The speech, with due proportions, also applies to theUdinese, which after having found a victory in Empoli that had been missing for a month and a half, wants to repeat itself against the reigning champions, moreover in its own stadium. In short, Pioli's mission will not be easy, but getting into the top four requires a decidedly higher yield than that achieved from January onwards.
Pioli: "We want to continue in the Champions League, but don't worry about underestimating the championship"
"Napoli will be a very difficult opponent, as anyone would have been given that we are among the top eight – thought the Rossoneri coach -. We are Milan and we want to move forward, Napoli are doing better than us in the league, but the Champions League is different and Milan is Milan… We have gained experience to understand what it takes to move forward, but the mistake would be forget about the championship, we are fine and we have to prove it also in Udine. We know Udinese, a physical, technical and very direct team, we will have to face the match with a lot of determination, furthermore the table is short and we have to push".
Udinese - Milan, the formations: Ibra in place of the suspended Giroud, Hernandez at risk (but he should be there)
Pioli's number one problem is undoubtedly theabsence of the suspended Giroud, so far fixed point of his Milan. To replace it there is the hypothesis Ibrahimovic, who would thus become the owner again after a very long time, but the candidacies of Origi and Rebic, especially since the Swede, by the coach's own admission at the press conference, doesn't have 90 minutes in his legs. However, the last training tests go in the direction of Zlatan, who will start the match and then leave room for his teammates along the way. Another possible tile is the one relating to Theo Hernandez, grappling with a slight indisposition: if the match were tomorrow there would be no doubts about his recovery, but being tonight, a question mark remains, even if the balance leans towards yes. Pioli will thus focus on the now classic 3-4-2-1 with Maignan in goal, Kalulu, Thiaw and Tomori in defense, Saelemaekers, Tonali, Bennacer and Hernandez (if he doesn't make it it will be Ballo-Touré's turn) in midfield, Diaz and Leao behind the lone striker Ibrahimovic. Usual 3-5-2 also for Sottil, who will respond with Silvestri in goal, Perez, Bijol and Becao in the back, Ehizibue, Pereyra, Walace, Lovric and Udogie in the midfield, Success and Beto in attack.
