Juventus-Milan, third act. After the championship and Super Cup clashes, here is the Coppa Italia, the first of the season in the Stadium basin. Only a month has passed since the last time in Doha, yet the scenarios seem to have drastically changed. The bianconeri, thanks to the defeat in Florence, have found goals and entertainment against Lazio and are ready to raise their voice to take revenge on that December evening.
The Rossoneri, on the other hand, despite growing in performance, have lost many points and are attacking the Italian Cup with much more strength than they would have imagined. It is played in a straight match, just like in the Super Cup, and if this can give strength to Milan (always winning in the previous two), it can also act as a stimulus for Juve, eager to avenge what, to date, is the most searing defeat of the season.
“I wouldn't talk about revenge but it's certainly an important match – Allegri glossed over – They play very well and even against Napoli, despite losing, they offered an excellent performance. They have important players like Suso and Bonaventura, plus they're always dangerous on the counter and we'll have to be good at managing this aspect. We are very keen on this challenge, we want to win the third consecutive Coppa Italia, something never done by anyone in the history of our football".
If the Juventus coach shows confidence, the Rossoneri colleague is no less. The latest results (5 points in as many games, only 1 victory) have complicated the standings, but paradoxically the game has improved a lot and then against Juve, you know, it's always a match in itself.
“The defeat against Napoli left us a bit bitter but we mustn't forget the great performance offered – explained Montella – Now we're playing our chances in the Italian Cup, a competition that both us and the managers are very keen on. We know it will be difficult and that they transform at the Stadium but I too have good memories of that place: I won there 2-1 with Fiorentina…". In short, the match of words ended in a draw.
Now it will be the field that will say that it will conquer the real one. Compared to the victory over Lazio Allegri, something will change both at a tactical and men's level: the 4-3-3 chosen however marks a turnaround compared to the recent past, when the 3-5-2 was the master. In front of Neto there will therefore be a 4-man defense with Barzagli, Rugani, Bonucci and Alex Sandro, with Sturaro, Pjanic and Rincon in midfield and the Cuadrado-Mandzukic-Dybala trident in attack.
Few changes also for Montella, who will respond with Donnarumma between the posts, Abate, Romagnoli, Paletta and Antonelli in the back department, Kucka, Locatelli and Bertolacci in the midfield, Suso, Lapadula (slightly favorite over Bacca) and Bonaventura in the offensive trident.
Not called up Evra and Niang, both grappling with the well-known market events. The Juventus full-back must decide whether to leave Turin immediately (Marseille in pole position) or wait for the end of the season, the Rossoneri forward whether or not to accept the court in Genoa (at stake is a loan exchange with Ocampos or, alternatively, Lazovic) and Turin (Cairo however vetoed both Ljajic and Iago Falque) or some Premier League club. Instead, Gerard Deulofeu will be there: the transfer arrived yesterday, just in time to get on the bus towards Turin and make himself available to Vincenzo Montella.
