And the day came when Santo Stefano lined up with San Siro. In fact, it will be the Milanese stadium that will catalyze all the spotlights of this round on itself with an Inter-Napoli full of meanings, and not just for the current festivity. At stake are the Scudetto ambitions of the Neapolitans, but also second place for the Nerazzurri: and given that Juve will visit Atalanta in Bergamo in the afternoon, it is clear how the day in question can be defined as crucial for championship ends. It goes without saying that both Ancelotti and Spalletti play a lot: both, if they want to achieve their respective objectives, must take full loot.
"My boys are the first to feel sorry after Verona, they know they have to put things right – explained the Nerazzurri coach – We have to play without impetus and know when to sink shots, Ancelotti is a bit scary because he knows the subject well , has lived practically all of them…”.
However, Spalletti will have to do without Nainggolan and not due to force majeure: the injury is in fact over, the delay in training which infuriated Marotta instead is not.
"We are sorry not to have him but the rules are the same for everyone - commented the coach - Zhang's Inter made this decision and we respect it, after which Radja will return to the group".
Boxing day, however, will only see him as the protagonist from the stands, so much so that the Nerazzurri 4-2-3-1 is quickly established: Handanovic in goal, Vrsaljko, Skriniar, De Vrij and Asamoah in defence, Brozovic and Vecino in midfield, Politano, Joao Mario and Perisic behind the lone striker Icardi.
If Inter experienced a restless vigil due to Nainggolan, it was De Laurentiis who enlivened Napoli's eve, lashing out against the designation of referee Mazzoleni.
"I'm worried, he's always been mean and not impartial to us - thundered the blue patron - Mazzoleni and Rizzoli, please: behave yourself...".
A poisoned dart that dates back to several years ago (the mother of all disputes was the Super Cup with Juve in 2012, with the famous absence of the Azzurri from the final award ceremony) and which risks poisoning an already high-voltage challenge: if Spalletti must win, in fact, the same goes for Ancelotti.
The blue coach, with the exception of the long-term patient Chiriches, can count on the best possible formation, therefore a 4-4-2 with Meret between the posts, Maksimovic, Albiol, Koulibaly and Ghoulam in the back, Callejon, Allan, Hamsik and Fabian Ruiz in the midfield, Milik and Insigne in attack.
The importance of the San Siro match will go hand in hand with what will happen in Bergamo in the afternoon (15 pm), when Gasperini's Atalanta will receive Allegri's Juventus. If the bianconeri pass here too it would be a further step towards the Scudetto, vice versa the games could also reopen. Bergamo (and Milan) therefore as a watershed for a title, especially since Ronaldo, for the first time this season, will be left to rest due to a technical choice.
“For once we'll watch the game together – joked Allegri – We have to play a serious match, it will be essential to get there at our best on a psychological level otherwise we'll give Atalanta a big gift. It's an important step for us, we'll need a good performance to continue the Scudetto journey".
Eyes on Bergamo therefore, with Juve lining up with a 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, De Sciglio, Bonucci, Benatia and Alex Sandro in defense, Bentancur, Pjanic and Emre Can in midfield, Dybala, Mandzukic and Douglas Coast in attack.
Big defensive emergency for Gasperini, forced to give up the central duo Toloi-Palomino due to the post-Genoa disqualifications. His 3-4-2-1 will thus see Berisha between the posts, Djimsiti, Masiello and Mancini in the back department, Hateboer, Freuler, Pessina and Gosens in the midfield, Ilicic and Gomez behind the lone striker Zapata.
UPDATE AT 17 PM – The match between Atalanta and Juve ends 2-2 again this year: two goals from an irresistible Zavata for the howitzers but a crucial equalizer from Cristiano Ronaldo who comes off the bench and immediately scores with a header , despite the bianconeri playing in ten for the expulsion of Bentancur. Juve's first goal was an own goal from Djimsiti after a minute.
