Defeated but with head held high. Napoli returns from Manchester with a heavy knockout (with the victory in Rotterdam Shakhtar are once again alone in second place) but also with the awareness of not being that far from City's levels and therefore being able to play their chances in the return match. The impact on the match was decisive, decidedly different from the one requested on the eve by Sarri: it is in the first half hour that the English have built the victory.
A terrible one-two from Sterling (9') and Gabriel Jesus (13'), so much so as to predict a real bad evening for the blue band. Instead, once the fear had subsided, the old certainties re-emerged and the match got back on the balance late only because Mertens, for once, didn't show himself up to the stage by badly wasting a penalty (38'). Something that Diawara didn't do instead, cold and precise in converting the second (very clear) penalty decreed by the referee Lahoz (73 '). Even a draw could have been in it, but instead City won: but Napoli put him on the ropes like no one else this season, moreover at his home, which is why at the San Paolo, in 15 days, the script could be very different.
After Tuesday's super challenge, it's time to focus on today's ones. The highlight is definitely Chelsea-Rome but also Juventus-Sporting Lisbon worth heavy points, indeed very heavy, in terms of qualification. Curiosity about the black and whites mainly concerns the state of form: will they be able to close Saturday's defeat against Lazio or will they carry the aftermath? “Equilibrium must reign here, it can happen that we lose or draw, we mustn't get depressed – commented Allegri. – We are not in a crisis, the season is still very long and everything will be decided only at the end. But now let's think about the Champions League and Sporting, let's win these two matches and we'll be through."
Delicate match indeed, between two teams on equal points and therefore in full fight to grab a pass for the round of 4. The Juventus coach, after last Saturday's (disputed) turnover, should re-propose the 2-3-1-XNUMX of the very first players, therefore Buffon in goal, Sturaro (Lichtsteiner is not in the Champions list), Rugani, Chiellini and Alex Sandro in defense , Pjanic and Matuidi in midfield, Cuadrado, Dybala and Mandzukic in the frontline, Higuain in attack. The same game system also for Jorge Jesus, who will try to conquer Turin with Rui Patricio between the posts, Piccini, Coates, Mathieu and Coentrao in the back, Carvalho and Battaglia in the middle, Gelson Martins, Bruno Fernandes and Acuna behind the only tip Dost.
The other Italian on stage will be Roma, engaged in the difficult London away game against Chelsea. A very delicate match even though the blues are going through a complicated moment, as demonstrated by the two consecutive defeats in the Premier League against City and, above all, Crystal Palace. “It will be a difficult match but we can play it on an equal footing, I wouldn't sign for a draw – Di Francesco's speech. – We have prepared the match in the best possible way and I hope to see a high-level performance. We must have the same attitude seen against Napoli but with more incisiveness and precision". Roma therefore want to try but Chelsea certainly cannot make discounts. The latest results require Conte to get back to winning as soon as possible, otherwise the situation could get really unpleasant.
“When you have so many injuries it happens that you get into trouble – glossed over Antonio. – I'm happy to play immediately to try to redeem ourselves, even though Roma are an excellent team with many great players”. Di Francesco recovers Strootman and El Shaarawy but loses Manolas for at least a month, so the accident emergency certainly cannot be considered over. The Giallorossi 4-3-3 will see Alisson in goal, Bruno Peres, Fazio, Juan Jesus and Kolarov in defense, Strootman, De Rossi and Nainggolan in midfield, Florenzi, Dzeko and Perotti in attack. Important absences also for Conte (outside Kanté, Drinkwater and Moses), who will try to return to victory with a 3-4-3 with Courtois in goal, Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Cahill in the back, Zappacosta, Fabregas, Bakayoko and Alonso in the median, Willian, Morata and Hazard in the offensive trident.
