Scudetto race, act seven. Juventus and Napoli are preparing for the umpteenth remote challenge to grab the first place in the standings, currently occupied by both at an altitude of 18. But up there at the top, as we know, it's good especially alone and the two contenders aim to escape and kick off the first real escape of the season. In this sense, today's Sunday would seem favorable to Napoli, first to take the field in the lunch match at 12.30 against Cagliari, more than Juventus, called instead for the insidious away match on the Atalanta field (20.45 pm).
A very interesting match in Bergamo, because if it is true that the Bianconeri are favorites by default, so is the fact that the Nerazzurri, if they find the right day, can create problems for anyone, even them. "Facing Atalanta is always difficult, let's remember that last year we relaxed and they equalized in the final - Allegri's analysis - They are returning from a great match in Lyon and are going through a magical moment, we will have to be good at put ourselves on their level in terms of intensity and then bring out our qualities”.
Who are undoubtedly superior, especially now that Higuain also seems to have solved his problems. Allegri, after keeping him on the bench with Toro and Olympiacos and enjoying his goal as a substitute, is ready to put him back in the starting lineup in the hope that the difficult period will be over with Wednesday's goal. For the rest, some mandatory turnover (Khedira and Pjanic are still out) and a 4-2-3-1 with Buffon in goal, Lichtsteiner, Rugani, Chiellini and Asamoah in defense, Bentancur and Matuidi in midfield, Cuadrado, Dybala and Mandzukic behind Pipita Higuain.
"They are very strong, they have won all their matches but we want to achieve results - Gasperini's speech - To beat this Juve, we will have to keep our concentration very high and take advantage of the enthusiasm of the moment". The coach will confirm the 3-4-1-2 of the very titular players with Berisha in goal, Palomino, Caldara and Masiello in the back, Hateboer, Cristante, Freuler and Spinazzola in the midfield, Ilicic behind the Gomez-Petagna attack duo.
Napoli will watch the match from the sofa in the hope of having done their duty against Cagliari. On paper, Sarri's team shouldn't have many problems: the numbers show that nobody scores so much in Italy (22 goals scored, more than 3 per game) and the opponent, moreover, is going through a bad moment as shown by the two consecutive defeats against Sassuolo and Chievo.
The pitfalls, if anything, could come from a mental point of view and the Azzurri therefore have the opportunity to demonstrate their growth. Sarri's 4-3-3 will see Reina in goal, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly and Ghoulam in defense, Allan, Jorginho and Hamsik in midfield, Callejon, Mertens and Insigne in attack. Rastelli will attempt the "miracle" relying on the 4-4-1-1 with Cragno in goal, Padoin, Andreolli, Romagna and Capuano in the back, Ionita, Cigarini, Dessena and Barella in the midfield, Joao Pedro to support the lone striker Sau.
