Scudetto match point, second act. After the mockery of Udine, Juventus has another chance to bring home the 36th tricolor in its history, the ninth in a row since the magical 2011/12 year. To do this, you need to beat former Ranieri's Sampdoria (at 21.45 pm), a mission that is anything but impossible given that, in addition to the enormous technical gap, the blucerchiati are practically already safe and therefore without goals. But the Lady, as we saw at the Dacia Arena, is certainly not going through a good moment, which is why it is better not to take anything for granted. “There is the will to go to the goal without losing one's head, we have until August 2nd to get there – commented Sarri. – Against Samp is a possibility, we have to play combatively to get to the goal because, as I have always said, getting close counts for zero…”.
Beyond the sentences of circumstance, however, it is clear that making mistakes again, after the flop in Udine, would have worrying implications, that's why Juve wants to close the Scudetto deal immediately, also to have more time to think about Lyon and the comeback to get into the final eight. Sarri, orphan of the Douglas Costa weapon (probably his season ended here), will try with a 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, Cuadrado, De Ligt, Bonucci and Alex Sandro in defense, Rabiot, Bentancur and Matuidi in defense midfield, Bernardeschi, Dybala and Ronaldo in attack. Ranieri, now safe despite the knockout in the derby, will respond with a 4-4-2 formation that will see Audero in goal, Bereszynski, Yoshida, Tonelli and Augello in the back, Depaoli, Thorsby, Linetty and Jankto in the midfield, Gabbiadini and Quagliarella as a duo offensive.
Failing would mean finding Inter at minus 4, given yesterday's victory on the Genoa field. A dry 3-0 signed by a brace from Lukaku (34', 93') and a goal from Sanchez (83'), which allows the Nerazzurri to regain second place (now Atalanta are back by one point) and reaffirm their good form in view of the Europa League, the last real goal left. “The numbers speak for themselves and comfort, these guys have done very good things but surely it can be improved – Conte's words. – I have to congratulate this team, they are not giving up, but I don't understand why many on the outside always want to see the glass half empty. We have sown a lot this season and harvested less than we could have."
Juve aside, the rest of Sunday will be mainly focused on the Roman women, with Lazio expected from the away match in Verona (19.30 pm) and Roma engaged at home against Fiorentina (same time). Two delicate matches, even if the stakes are evidently higher for the Giallorossi, who are not yet sure of participation in the Europa League groups. “The team is in a good moment, tactically and physically, but we have to keep growing – explained Fonseca. – It is important that now we think only of the championship and Fiorentina, we must maintain the same ambition we had in the last few games". The Portuguese coach will try with the now usual 3-4-2-1 with Pau Lopez in goal, Mancini, Smalling and Kolarov in defense, Bruno Peres, Veretout, Diawara and Spinazzola in midfield, Pellegrini and Mkhitaryan in the frontline, Dzeko in attack.
Iachini, now calm after the results of the last few weeks, will respond with a 3-5-2 that will see Terracciano between the posts, Milenkovic, Pezzella and Caceres in the back, Chiesa, Ghezzal, Pulgar, Duncan and Lirola in the midfield, Vlahovic and Ribery offensive couple. The climate in the Lazio house is more serene, where the Champions League has now become a reality. In short, the away match in Verona no longer counts, except to get as close as possible to Juve. “We have achieved our great goal but there are three games left, we will have to play them in the best possible way – reiterated Inzaghi. – A demanding match awaits us, we face an opponent who has done very well, we will need to put in an excellent performance regardless of the standings and the opponent”.
The Biancoceleste coach will rely on a 3-5-2 with Strakosha in goal, Patric, Luiz Felipe and Acerbi in defense, Marusic, Parolo, Luis Alberto, Milinkovic-Savic and Jony in midfield, Immobile and Caicedo in attack. Juric, on the other hand, will attempt yet another seasonal coup with a 3-4-2-1 that will see Silvestri in goal, Rrahmani, Gunter and Empereur in the back, Faraoni, Amrabat, Veloso and Lazovic in the midfield, Pessina and Borini behind the only tip Salcedo.
