Check-up before the final. Juventus and Milan take the field for the last appointment before Wednesday's face-to-face, which will see them compete for the Italian Cup in Rome. But the match at the Olimpico, however imminent, is still far away in the minds of the players, or at least this is what Allegri and Gattuso are hoping for: today's opponents are called Bologna (at 20.45) and Verona (18) and underestimating them would mean risking points heavy. This is especially true for Juve, the one that, for obvious reasons in the standings, plays the most on this 36th matchday but Milan also have good reasons for not taking the San Siro advance lightly.
However, it is clear that between the Scudetto and the Europa League area there is an abyss of importance and motivation, although the last round made the former much more obvious than the latter. Juve's victory against Inter and Napoli's defeat in Florence brought the leaders back to +4 on their direct rival, an abyss just three days from the end so much so that even the dreaded away match in Rome, scheduled for next Sunday, could prove to be completely irrelevant. Provided, however, that you beat Bologna and thus make the visit to Di Francesco "almost" a pleasure. “There are only three days left and this is a match to be won otherwise we'll get messed up – Allegri's analysis. – Donadoni's team plays well, has quality players and will try to do the same thing. We will have to have great mental strength, especially now that we are not solid, and try to ensure that enthusiasm does not turn into presumption or superficiality. The controversies? In Italy we like to do comedy and I would say that this week has offered quite a long one…”. Ironic answer to those who, since last Saturday, have literally thrown themselves against the Lady and her (alleged) referee advantages: a rather long list (De Magistris and Moratti above all) which could have further enraged Juventus, now more determined than ever to close the games as soon as possible.
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The turnover, with the exception of the suspended Pjanic and the injured Mandzukic, should be limited to the bare essentials, in defiance of an Italian Cup final that Allegri certainly wants to win but without risking complicating life in the league. The Juventus 4-3-3 will thus see Buffon in goal, Cuadrado, Barzagli, Rugani and Alex Sandro in defense, Khedira, Bentancur and Matuidi in midfield, Dybala, Higuain and Douglas Costa in attack. Donadoni, with no particular ambitions for the standings but pushed by his former Napoli fans, will try to "destabilize" the Scudetto issue with the same game system: Mirante between the posts, Mbaye, Romagnoli, De Maio and Masina in the back department, Nagy, Crisetig and Poli in the midfield, Verdi, Palacio and Orsolini in the offensive trident.
However, the 36th will be inaugurated by Milan and Verona, engaged at San Siro in a match that is valid both for the race for the Europa League and for salvation. Of course, looking at the standings one would think that Pecchia's team is now almost doomed and therefore that the points are worth more for Gattuso's: a speech that is very reminiscent of the match against Benevento and everyone knows how it ended, that's why at Milan, a test of strength and maturity is expected, otherwise risking another fool. “There is also the 3-0 defeat in the first leg which should make us reflect – warned the Rossoneri coach. – I don't want to see things like this anymore, I expect a spirit of revenge and concentration but always with a free head. We'll think about Juventus only later, woe to you if that weren't the case: first there's Verona and the smell of burning must be felt first, even if I have to say that the team trained with an intensity I haven't seen for some time”.
Here too, as for Juve, it is essentially impossible to think about the turnover: winning the Italian Cup would give the pass to Europe, while waiting for that, however, the only way to the cups is the championship and therefore today's victory. Gattuso, net of the absence of Biglia and Romagnoli's precautionary bench (returning after the injury) will confirm the 4-3-3 with Donnarumma in goal, Abate, Bonucci, Musacchio and Rodriguez in defense, Kessié, Locatelli and Bonaventura in midfield, Suso, Cutrone and Calhanoglu in attack. Mirror game system for Pecchia, who will attempt the miracle of salvation (possible only in case of victory) with Nicolas between the posts, Ferrari, Caracciolo, Hertaux and Fares in the back department, Romulo, Zuculini and Calvano in the midfield, Matos, Cerci and Verde in the offensive trident.
