Looking for revenge. Juventus and Inter want to cancel the disappointments of last weekend and return to victory, a sine qua non in order not to lose ground in the championship race. The 22nd matchday, however, puts them in front of two rather insidious obstacles such as Fiorentina (12.30) and Udinese (20.45), unlike a Lazio which, at least on paper, shouldn't have major problems at the Olimpico against Spal (15) . In short, if the missteps with Napoli and Cagliari hadn't already raised the pressure bar enough, here is Inzaghi's team to put more irons on the fire, especially as Wednesday there will be the highly anticipated recovery against Verona, which could significantly change ranking it.
Sarri and Conte know they can't go wrong, even if the past week has been much more difficult for the former than for the latter. Antonio in fact, in addition to enjoying the arrival of Eriksen, has found success in the Italian Cup against Fiorentina, Maurizio, on the other hand, ended up at the center of numerous controversies, daughters of the defeat in Naples but above all of his post-match statements. “My sentences have been exploited, it seems normal to me that one remains tied to the guys I worked with for three years and who allowed me to get to a top club like Juve – retorted the Juventus coach. – The fans are angry because we had a bad performance and a bad result: in this club losing a game is heavy, doing it by playing badly is even worse. We can win them back only with victories."
We will have to start today, because a misstep against another historic rival like Fiorentina would be really harmful. Sarri, after the bad performance of the San Paolo, has decided to close the Dybala-Higuain-Ronaldo trident by virtue of a more prudent set-up, even if the 4-3-3, especially with Douglas Costa, is still a viable option. However, today he will start with a 4-3-1-2 with Szczesny in goal, Cuadrado, De Ligt, Bonucci and Alex Sandro in defense, Bentancur, Pjanic and Rabiot in midfield, Ramsey behind the offensive duo made up of Dybala and Ronaldo. Iachini, back from the Cup defeat but also from two wins and a draw in the league, will respond with a 3-5-2 formation that will see Dragowski in goal, Ceccherini, Pezzella and new signing Igor in the back, Lirola, Benassi, Pulgar , Badelj and Dalbert in the midfield, Cutrone and Chiesa in attack.
In the evening however, with the results of Juve and Lazio concluded, it will be Conte's turn, awaiting the insidious away match in Udine. The Nerazzurri are coming off three consecutive draws which have slowed down a hitherto sensational race: in short, another misstep would definitively turn on the alarm, especially as next Sunday there will be the derby against Milan. “I expect a tough game, even in the first leg they created difficulties for us – Conte's analysis. – I'm not interested in talking about the other teams, we just have to look at ourselves and race to progress day by day. I'm happy to work at Inter and with what we are doing and building." Finally, after so many barbs, a thank you (albeit in "contesco") to the club, capable of giving him a top like Eriksen without waiting for the contract to expire.
“We talked a lot with him to make him understand what he has to do with and without the ball and what situations he has to exploit – continued the coach. – He is a footballer who understands immediately and we are happy to have him with us ”. The Dane, after his brief debut on Wednesday, will start immediately from the first minute, confirming the absolute centrality of his role. Conte's big problem, however, is the attack, without the suspended Lautaro Martinez: e since Toro will also be missing in the derby, it is logical to think that this one in Udine is a real dress rehearsal in view of the big match at San Siro. Today it should be Sanchez's turn but pay attention to Esposito's prices, which have risen exponentially after the bad performance of the Chilean in the Italian Cup.
Conte will rely on the usual 3-5-2 with Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defense, Candreva, Vecino, Barella, Eriksen and Young in midfield, Lukaku and Sanchez (or Esposito) in attack. Gotti, returning from defeats with Milan and Parma, will attempt the coup with a 5-3-2 that will see Musso in goal, Stryger Larsen, Becao, Troost-Ekong, Nuytinck and Sema in the back, De Paul, Mandragora and Fofana in the midfield to support the offensive duo made up of Lasagna and Okaka.
