A bitter evening. Because if it is true, as Garcia says, that Roma are now the undisputed masters of their own destiny, it is equally true that they could have closed the qualification discussion already yesterday evening and instead they will have to play it on the last day, moreover with two opponents. Group E in fact, in addition to the already qualified Bayern, sees three teams with 5 points, which, in a nutshell, means that all of them can still qualify. The good news is that, if the Giallorossi were to beat Manchester City, they would go through without having to wait for the result of the Germans against CSKA, the bad news is that, however, a draw might not be enough. In case of defeat nothing to say: Rome at home, perhaps even out of the Europa League. All this wouldn't have happened if the Giallorossi hadn't thrown away a match they had already won with 30 seconds (!) remaining, conceding an almost comical goal from Berezutski, who moreover scored a cross and not a shot on goal.
“Our goal has been achieved, we will play it at home – the Giallorossi coach tried to gloss over. – It is obvious though that I am disappointed with the draw, but only with the way it arrived. We had to close the game earlier, when we had the chance to do so." This is, in fact, Rome's true regret. Not that she had a spectacular match, on the contrary, but she managed to take the lead first (splendid free-kick from Totti in the 43rd minute) and then, in the second half, came close twice to the possible 0-2, which, with each probability, would have erased any Russian ambitions. Instead Nainggolan and Ljajic (more the former than the latter) literally devoured him, thus leaving the match open until the end. And just a few seconds from the 93rd came the draw-joke, the one that, classification in hand, leaves everything open until the last day. Unfortunately, however, we will have to wait two weeks, in view of a night that will give many chills.
Just like the one in Malmoe, where Juventus won't have to make a mistake if they don't want to complicate their lives. There's no getting around it: the black and whites have to win, only in this way will they be able to get to the last match (in Turin against Atletico Madrid) with everything under control. “They still have the chance to qualify, we respect them but we want to win – thought Massimiliano Allegri. – We both need the three points, which is why I say we are not favourites. We'll need more head than heart, we'll have to think with a cool head from the first minute and get into the game well. This is where everything is decided”. Indeed it is. Calculations in hand, Juve could qualify even by making just one point in two games but this only if Olympiacos scores zero. Better to avoid relying so much on fate and try to handle things differently.
A success tonight would be an excellent basis, hoping that the Greeks don't score points in Madrid. With two victories then even the calculator wouldn't be needed: Juve in the round of 5, full stop. The reasons to dispel the European away taboo (1 defeats and 6 draw in the last 2013 games, the success missing from the match against Celtic in February 2008) are all there, perhaps hoping for the awakening of Tevez, one who, far from "home", he only scored once (Lyon – Manchester United 4). “This is the right time, he will score like in the first leg” Allegri charged him, who not by chance took him to the press conference. "I really hope to score" admitted the Apache with a smile, which the Juventus fans hope turns into a roar. Training chapter. The coach from Livorno has only one doubt: Padoin or Evra for the left wing? The former seems to be the favourite, but the latter has effective mastery of the role on his side. Everything else was done: 3-1-2-XNUMX with Buffon in goal, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci and Chiellini in defence, Marchisio, Pirlo and Pogba in midfield, Vidal in the trocar, Tevez and Llorente in attack.
