Approach manoeuvre, albeit with an asterisk. Milan and Juventus are preparing to play their respective matches knowing that Inter, for known health reasons, will not be able to respond, at least for a couple of weeks. Of course, the advantage is purely theoretical, given that the leaders will then have to recover the match against Sassuolo, but in the meantime there is the possibility of bringing them a little closer in the standings, thus putting a little more pressure on them. However, the speech only makes sense in the event of today's victories, otherwise Conte will enjoy himself an unforgettable Sunday on the sofa with a view of the Scudetto, and here comes the difficult part, especially for the Rossoneri. In fact, Benevento, Juve's opponents in the 15pm match, don't want it, but the Diavolo certainly has the most complicated commitment, expected from the away match in Florence (18) a few days after the struggles with Manchester, which were however useless seeing the deletion. Pioli is then grappling with the usual incredible list of injured players, currently made up of Rebic (also disqualified), Leao, Romagnoli, Calabria and Mandzukic, which is why the match is anything but obvious.
“For me it will never be an away game like any other – explained the coach, recalling his past in viola -, but we have to win to get back on our path. We are in the middle of the Scudetto fight and in these 11 days left we must do our best. Ibra? I don't know how he holds up, but we need him and so he'll be the owner." The Rossoneri therefore cling to their totem, in the hope that it will find continuity until the end of the season. The theme of injuries, however, does not only concern him, but a large part of the squad, literally battered since the autumn. “Certainly there were too many and there is some justification, but in some situations we missed something and it must never happen again – confirmed Pioli -. We are working on it because we are not satisfied with these numbers, despite the mitigating factors between quick preparation, Covid and many matches. We will have to do better, however I hope that after the break we will have a few more players for the final rush".
Today, however, we will have to grit our teeth, with a 4-2-3-1 that will see Donnarumma in goal, Dalot, Kjaer, Tomori and Hernandez in defense, Tonali and Kessié in midfield, Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu and Brahim Diaz behind the lone striker Ibrahimovic. 3-5-2 on the other hand for Prandelli, who after the victory chasing away the ghosts of Benevento will try to exploit Milan's tiredness with Dragowski between the posts, Martinez Quarta, Milenkovic and Pezzella in the back department, Caceres, Eyseric, Pulgar, Castrovilli and Bonaventura in the midfield, Ribery and Vlahovic in attack. An easier task, at least on paper, for Juventus, which will host Inzaghi's Benevento at the Stadium. Even in the first leg, however, it seemed an obvious practice, however it was not like this, with the Campania players able to stop the Lady on a sensational draw, which in fact still weighs on the standings. Now, however, things are different, first of all because Pirlo has finally had an empty week to work, furthermore the points behind Inter could become 7 with equal matches, considering that the match with Napoli is always missing.
“Our duty is to put pressure on Inter and we can only do it by winning game after game, starting with this one – confirmed the Juventus coach -. The postponement of Inter-Sassuolo? Different things have been done in this case compared to others, unfortunately it happened in a positive moment for Inter who will have the opportunity to work not even sending their players to the national team. In this sense she was also lucky…”. The controversy is anything but veiled, but the bianconeri must first of all think about beating Benevento, otherwise any desire for a comeback would be cancelled. Pirlo must give up the injured Demiral, Dybala and Ramsey and the suspended Cuadrado, but for the rest he will have everyone available, including that Bentancur finally recovered from Covid. The Juventus 4-4-2 will thus see Buffon in goal, Danilo, Bonucci, De Ligt and Bernardeschi in defense, Kulusevski, Arthur, Rabiot and Chiesa in midfield, Morata and Ronaldo in attack. Inzaghi's mission impossible, exacerbated by the disqualifications of Glik and Schiattarella, will try to come true with a 3-5-2 with Montipò between the posts, Tuia, Caldirola and Barba in the back, Tello, Hetemaj, Viola, Ionita and Improta in the midfield , Lapadula and Caprari offensive couple.
