A return with a bang. Italian football restarts after more than 3 months of hiatus and does so with one of its most valuable pieces: Juventus-Milan (21), net of technical differences, it remains a match of great charm, especially given the stakes. The Coppa Italia final appeals to both and patience if the teams, in the light of the long interruption, would have preferred to play it with a little more running-in. The Spadafora line put the show ahead of football needs, giving the whole of Italy a truly spectacular two days. However, we will only think about Napoli-Inter from tomorrow, because today is the day of Juventus-Milan and a semi-final that promises to be really interesting.
It starts from1-1 in the first leg (goals from Rebic and Ronaldo), therefore forced by the Rossoneri to win or, alternatively, to draw by scoring at least two goals. Far from simple undertaking, especially since Pioli will have to give up the disqualified Ibrahimovic, Hernandez and Castillejo (the Swede was then also injured), with the inevitable increase of an already large gap of his own. The only consolation for the Rossoneri concerns the field factor, reset by closed doors: something that affects more than you think, as they understood in Germany, where away victories have increased exponentially (it must be said, however, that the medium-small teams are mainly affected, given that the giant Bayern has won them all) .
In short, the lockdown has not changed things: Juve was and remains the favourites a must against anyone, even more so in the face of a remodeled Milan and in the throes of yet another nervous breakdown. “The matches against them this year have all been difficult, both in the league and in the cup – he cautioned, however Sarri – They always manage to put us in difficulty, furthermore the result of the first leg doesn't guarantee us anything: it's a match with a very open result”.
The 1-1 draw at San Siro actually makes everything possible, but it is clear that Pioli has a pretty high mountain full of pitfalls ahead of him. In fact, Milan managed to generate controversy even during the stop, with the inevitable consequence of completely splitting an already divided environment before. The highlight took place two days ago, when Gazidis showed up at Milanello to talk to the coach and players: Maldini's absence (by now a real separate at home) made noise, but Ibrahimovic, the real leader of a protest movement that has cornered the South African CEO ( figuratively, of course).
“It was a clear and direct confrontation, but it helped – he confirmed Pioli – Talking to each other is always the best thing to do, even if you have different opinions… But now we have to stay focused on the game, we have a disadvantage in terms of results, but also the qualities to play it. There is a great desire to go through and bring Milan to Europe”.
However, the future, whatever the result, will belong to Rangnick, which is why it is above all Sarri who is at stake. His stay in black and white, at the moment, is not in question but Andrea Agnelli, as we know, is quite sensitive to the subject of victories: Allegri knows something about it, exonerated despite yet another scudetto won. If for Milan the final is a dream, for Juve it is an obligation: ask a Cristiano Ronaldo, presented in dazzling form even after the lockdown, to have confirmations…
CR7 is determined to take the first Italian Cup of his career and will lead the Lady's attack together with Dybala, protagonist of a rather hot week. In fact, Paulo, perfectly recovered from Covid, broke his silence by invoking a renewal that is struggling to arrive (the fault of image rights) and which, in his plans, would lead him to earn 15 million a year, thus overcoming all his comrades exception of his majesty Ronaldo. No official reply from Turin, but certainly the question is delicate and must be handled with care, even if the field, as always, will direct the moods, in one direction or another.
In any case, Sarri will pick up where he left off, that is with the 4-3-3, now designated reference system. In goal, as always in the Italian Cup, it will be up to Buffon, with Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt and Alex Sandro in defence, Khedira, Bentancur and Matuidi in midfield, Douglas Costa, Dybala and Ronaldo in attack. Milan to be reinvented instead for Pioli, forced to give up three undisputed starters. The technician will opt for a 4-2-3-1 with Donnarumma between the poles, Conti, Kjaer, Romagnoli and Calabria in the back department, Kessie and Bennacer in the median, Paqueta, Calhanoglu and Bonaventura on the trocar behind the lone striker Rebic.
