Juventus lengthens the pace. In the advance against Pescara, the Italian champions did their duty, liquidating Oddo's men with a dry 3-0 and moving up to +7 on Roma, obviously waiting for this afternoon. The Giallorossi will have to conquer Bergamo (15 pm) if they want to stay attached to the Scudetto train, otherwise, in addition to losing sight of the Lady, they will also risk overtaking Milan and a dangerous approach from Napoli, also victorious on the Udinese field. In short, a lot of irons on the fire on this championship Saturday, to be analyzed in strict order of classification. That Juventus would have had an easy time with Pescara was frankly predictable, but maybe Massimiliano Allegri didn't expect to hit such a positive evening either. The black and whites managed practically everything, including the preservation of several key players (Buffon, Chiellini, Marchisio, Pjanic) who will thus be polished for the away game in Seville. “The team has once again shown great maturity – thought Allegri. – I'm happy because, as I said on the eve, the scudetti come from games like this, and we were also able to manage our forces in the best possible way. Now we can think about the Champions League even if I stick to my idea: it will be more important for Sevilla than for us." Victory over velvet for the Lady, who after unlocking the match in the first half with Khedira (36') definitely made it hers in the second half. It was Mandzukic who found the 2-0 (63'), while the final 3-0 was the work of Hernanes, author of a great right-footed shot from distance (69').
A dry Gonzalo Higuain, confirming a somewhat similar period which however is certainly not affecting the results of his team, the debut of the very young Kean should also be noted, the first class of 2000 to debut in Serie A. An equally important victory (and much more fought) also for Napoli, who came out of the Friuli stadium with 3 very heavy points. Success in Udine had been missing since 2007: a real taboo that Sarri's men however managed to break with a careful and determined match, the ideal viaticum for Wednesday's decisive match against Dinamo Kiev. The news then is that Lorenzo Insigne has been released, finally scoring after 3 months of hardship. It was he who stamped Napoli's victory with a brace that annihilated Udinese: two paws in front of goal (47' and 57') to smile again and bring back a victory that had been missing since 26 October, only scratched by the head by Perica (59') for the final 1-2. “It was a difficult match, we came from the break but the boys responded positively – commented Sarri. – I am happy for Insigne but I have never had any doubts about him: I know his qualities well and I was sure they would come out ”.
The pressure thus shifts entirely to Rome, awaited today by one of the most insidious away games in the league. Going to Bergamo in itself is never a walk, let alone against this Atalanta, fresh from 7 consecutive useful results (6 wins and a draw) and full of talented young people and personalities. But the Giallorossi really can't afford to make mistakes, not if they really want to try and challenge Juve for the Scudetto. “To reach them we have to be like them – explained Spalletti. – You have to use your craft, be good at seizing the right moment to bring home the result, learn to win even without necessarily being beautiful. Atalanta are the revelation of the championship, everything they have achieved so far they deserved. We'll need a game of great character but I'm confident because we've improved from this point of view." In addition to the usual Florenzi, Mario Rui and Vermaelen, the coach will also have to give up Totti, otherwise he will be able to count on the whole squad. The 4-2-3-1 in Bergamo will thus see Szczesny in goal, Rudiger, Manolas, Fazio and Bruno Peres in defense, De Rossi and Strootman in midfield, Salah, Nainggolan and Perotti in the trocar behind the lone striker Dzeko. Gasperini will respond with a 3-5-2 with Berisha in goal, Masiello, Toloi and Caldara in the back, D'Alessandro, Kurtic, Kessié, Gagliardini and Spinazzola in the midfield, Petagna and Gomez in attack.
