Last effort before the holidays. Serie A is preparing to conclude the first round with the 19th day, ready to start today with the first advances. One, the one between Udinese and Salernitana, has been postponed: the local ASL, just as per protocol, blocked the team's departure for Udine. After a nocturnal push and pull between buffers and denials, the official statement arrived: "The US Salernitana 1919, following ascertained positivity in the team group, takes note of the provisions of the ASL of Salerno which requested the suspension of the activity of the team and banned their participation in sporting events. The Company has communicated these provisions to the Lega Serie A and is available for any type of assessment by the local health authorities".
However, the spotlights are focused above all on the other two advances, that is Juventus-Cagliari e Genoa-Atalanta, both scheduled at 20.45. The Champions League duel therefore starts again, with reduced distances compared to the previous round: in fact, the points between the Bergamo players and the Bianconeri have become 6, without forgetting Roma and Fiorentina, all paired up at an altitude of 31. On paper there shouldn't be any upheavals, given that Cagliari and Genoa aren't exactly the picture of health, but Juve and Atalanta know they can't afford excessive relaxation, or else ruin Christmas.
“The last race of the year is delicate, everyone thinks only of preparing gifts and suitcases for the holidays – he explained Allegri -. We have to be careful, they have important values and they don't deserve the ranking they have, if we think it's an easy game we're making a big mistake. In these two months, between January and February, we're playing for the season, but this goes primarily from Cagliari, we can't afford any more missteps at home". It is evident that the Lady has no alternative to victory, but also that she is clearly favored to achieve it.
Mazzarri's Cagliari is back from a heavy 0-4 with Udinese, which sparked the protest, both external and internal. Sporting director Capozucca defended the coach and pointed the finger at some players, defined as "unworthy of wearing the rossoblu shirt": no names were mentioned, but the failure to call Godin and Caceres is quite explanatory.
However, Allegri can't be pityed, also because he too has his problems, between injuries (Dybala, Chiesa and Chiellini will return only after the break) e market rumors. “Did Raiola say that De Ligt is ready to take a new step? Yes, to score against Cagliari – joked the Juventus coach -. I haven't heard the interview, I just know that he's growing a lot, he's 22: then, as far as the market is concerned, time will tell ”.
Better to focus on the field and on a game to be won at all costs, with Allegri determined to confirm the 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, De Sciglio, Bonucci, De Ligt and Alex Sandro in defense, McKennie, Bentancur and Locatelli in midfield, Bernardeschi, Morata and Kean in attack. Stripped-down squad for Mazzarri, who in addition to the "purged" Caceres and Godin must also give up the suspended Marin and the injured Nandez. The rossoblu 3-5-2 will see Cragno between the posts, Zappa, Ceppitelli and Carboni in the back department, Bellanova, Deiola, Grassi, Oliva and Dalbert in the midfield, Joao Pedro and Pavoletti as an offensive duo.
More or less similar scenario also in the Marassi challenge, where Gasperini's Atalanta will try to pick up the thread with the victory abruptly interrupted against Roma. The Sheva Genoa instead he never even started it, given that the last (and so far only) 3-point hurrah dates back to 12 September last (3-2 in Cagliari). In short, the Nerazzurri shouldn't encounter major difficulties, provided however that they rediscover that brilliance which, in recent weeks, has gone somewhat to alternating current. It is no coincidence that Gasperini should shuffle the cards and change several players compared to the last game, for a 3-4-2-1 with Musso in goal, Djimsiti, Demiral and Palomino in defense, Zappacosta, De Roon, Freuler and Hateboer in midfield , Pessina and Malinovskyi behind the lone striker Zapata. The usual 3-5-2 instead for Shevchenko, who will respond with Sirigu in goal, Biraschi, Vasquez and Criscito in the back, Ghiglione, Sturaro, Badelj, Portanova and Cambiaso in the midfield, Ekuban and Destro in attack.
