And after the overtaking…the crash test. Antonio Conte's Inter receive Paulo Fonseca's Roma at the San Siro (at 20.45 pm) and this alone would be enough to sit in an armchair and enjoy the show. But the issues related to the anticipation of the 15th day are many, too many not to be gutted, one by one, in order to better explain today's match. First of all there is the Nerazzurri's defense of first place, something that obviously also concerns Sarri's Juventus, who have passed from the role of leaders to that of pursuer with a gufare license. Forcing them to face Lazio tomorrow evening at minus 4 would be a nice hook on the chin, but first they have to beat a healthy Roma, reinvigorated both physically and mentally and determined to go to San Siro to take the 3 points.
The other element that stands out in this advance, in fact, is precisely the classification of the Giallorossi, which in case of success would even authorize us to talk about the Scudetto. And since the discussion also concerns Lazio tomorrow evening, it is clear that this weekend, however interlocutory, has every appearance of being rather important in terms of the championship.
“We face a team that is doing well, the level of difficulty will be very high – confirmed Conte in the press conference. – But we have to think about our qualities, we know that we will suffer but we are preparing ourselves as best as possible, knowing that we will have to withstand the blow and be precise in the implementation phase. It's not a question of turning around, but of getting to Christmas in the best possible way: then, during the break, we'll be able to catch our breath and recover some players."
But that moment has not yet arrived, in fact it is still quite far away. The Nerazzurri coach, waiting for holidays and, above all, the opening of the transfer market, knows he has arrived at the most important moment of the season, with Rome and Barcelona in less than a week. In short, we play a lot, that's why the smiles, despite the first place in the standings, leave room, in that of Appiano, for the usual tough guy air. A little more serenity, but just a pinch, instead on Fonseca's face, but only for a mere character issue. In fact, Roma are also playing a lot this evening: a success would rightfully raise them among the contenders for the Scudetto.
Something unthinkable until a few months ago, yet possible thanks to a roadmap that has seen the Giallorossi win five of their last six games. Roma's turning point can be explained by a clear turnaround at the defensive level: nine goals conceded in the first five of the championship, six in the remaining nine. In short, the Portuguese who came from Ukraine to dominate the game has instead turned into the most Italian of coaches and this, of course, is a compliment, certified by his ranking. But now a good test arrives for him too, called to stop the leader's march.
“Inter are very strong, we will have to face them with courage and defensive rigor – his words in the conference. – Conte is also a great coach but this is exactly the type of game we want to play, to confirm to everyone our good momentum". What everyone wanted to know, however, concerned Dzeko's condition, who remained in bed with a fever for most of the week. "He has trained with the group and is ready" the Portuguese began, before letting himself go, probably because he was exhausted by the questions about the Bosnian, to a smiling "he won't play at San Siro".
The Giallorossi captain, on the other hand, will be there, unless the fever decides to return and thus make him miss the match with what, in the summer, was practically his team. Conte, in turn close to Roma ("Totti called me but it wasn't the time"), would have wanted him to support Lukaku, instead he had to settle for Lautaro and the results show that it went well for him. Tonight, however, we need to confirm ourselves, which is why the Nerazzurri coach, also due to the numerous injuries, will field the best possible formation, in defiance of the imminent (and decisive) Champions League match.
At San Siro we will see an Inter with the usual 3-5-2, so Handanovic in goal, Godin, De Vrij and Skriniar in defence, Candreva, Borja Valero, Brozovic, Vecino and Biraghi in midfield, Lautaro Martinez and Lukaku in attack. Usual 4-2-3-1 also for Fonseca, who will respond with Pau Lopez between the posts, Spinazzola, Mancini, Smalling and Kolarov in the back, Diawara and Veretout in the midfield, Zaniolo, Pellegrini and Mkhitaryan behind the lone striker Dzeko . Gala evening, one of those destined to affect an entire championship.
