The race for the Scudetto starts again. Juventus receives Lazio (at 20.45) with the awareness of having almost completed the Italian mission, now held back only by mathematics. With two victories between tonight and Sunday (in Florence) the party could become official, provided that Napoli (again minus 6 after yesterday's success against Bologna) do not respond in the same way at the Olimpico against Roma. In that case everything would be postponed to the following Sunday (in Turin against Carpi) and then the 32nd Scudetto, the fifth in a row, could become a reality.
“We haven't won anything yet – glossed over Massimiliano Allegri. – First we win the title, then we will think about the final of the Italian Cup. Applause and congratulations, in short, let's take them only at the end of May ". The usual "firefighter" tactic continues undaunted, although no one, not even in the Juventus dressing room itself, expects more negative surprises. Of course, Lazio and Fiorentina are not the softest opponents in the championship, especially as they seem to have recovered after the crisis they recently went through.
The Biancocelesti have regained momentum with the arrival of Simone Inzaghi, so far the author of two consecutive victories in as many matches with Palermo and Empoli. But with all due respect to the Sicilians and Tuscans, Juve is something else, even more so in the impregnable fort of the Stadium. “We know their strength, they have won 24 games in the last 25 games – sighed the Lazio coach. – To get a result, we'll need an incredible performance, but we have a great desire and we'll try to do our race".
On paper, as always, the Bianconeri are huge favourites. Even Allegri knows this well but, thanks to a good dose of superstition, he prefers not to make dangerous predictions. “Lazio is fighting for the Europa League and in any case nothing is taken for granted in football – he reiterated in the press conference. – Barcelona teach, they continue to have a great game but they have lost their psychological peace of mind. That's why I want to win the championship as soon as possible."
The coach, thanks to Marchisio's injury (he was operated on yesterday, he'll be back at least in 6 months), will have to change the formation seen on Sunday against Palermo, without however giving up on the 3-5-2. In defense, in front of Buffon's goal, Barzagli, Bonucci and Rugani are very confirmed, in the middle the control room will be entrusted to Lemina (favorite over Hernanes), with Khedira and Pogba alongside him and Lichtsteiner and Alex Sandro on the wings. Up front, with Morata disqualified, there should be the usual Mandzukic and Dybala, although Zaza is pawing and has some chance to play.
Definitely less choice for Simone Inzaghi, forced to give up on the bruised Candreva and Matri: his 4-3-3 will see Marchetti between the posts, Basta, Mauricio, Gentiletti and Lulic in the back, Milinkovic-Savic, Biglia and Parolo in the midfield, Felipe Anderson, Djordjevic (Klose is not at his best but will still be on the bench) and Keita in the offensive trident.
