The most awaited Sunday of the year has finally arrived. This afternoon Juventus could mathematically graduate as champions of Italy, thus celebrating the Scudetto number 29 in its history, provided they manage to snatch at least one point from Palermo. The favors of the prediction are all for the Old Lady, but watch out for the rosanero, in full battle for salvation, who will do anything to ruin an announced party. But at Juve no one really takes into consideration the possibility of not winning, starting with Antonio Conte.
“We start from the assumption that we have to win the Scudetto, we have the possibility of crossing the finish line and we have to do it, without ifs and buts – thought the coach at the press conference. – It has been a tough, tiring, stressful year from all points of view and therefore it is right that we cross this finish line which would be something beautiful, a truly exciting journey, a journey that has seen us in the lead from the first day, actually since last year. This is the culmination of two truly extraordinary years, in which we forged ahead, surely the result of a great job by all of us, starting primarily with the president Andrea Agnelli and continuing with Marotta, the players and all the staff".
And so, while waiting for mathematics to seal what everyone has known for some time, it's already time for an initial balance on the current season, and especially on the next one. "In two years we've been winning the second Scudetto in a row, we've finished in the top eight in Europe, won a Coppa Italia final, won a Super Cup, this year we were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, in my opinion, also quite unfortunate - he explained Conte. – We have truly made an incredible journey and that has certainly accelerated any growth process a bit, because we have truly grown in such an exponential way that now it becomes even more difficult, the bar is still rising. I say: it rises how much? Because we really did the maximum of what we could do…”.
Here we go again. Even on the weekend that could lead to the Scudetto, Antonio Conte reiterates his usual message. Which becomes even stronger in the light of market rumors, which would like PSG to be very interested in him for the post Ancelotti. A denial would be enough to wipe out the doubts, but the coach can't (or won't?) do it: “I think it's fair to say that the man Antonio Conte certainly wants to stay 100% at Juventus. Then there is the professional, who out of respect for the fans, the club, himself and his players, must have the whole situation clear".
Translated: Conte wants economic (for himself) and technical (for the team) guarantees, without which he will leave Turin. The parties will meet once the title has been won, and on feeling they will find an agreement to continue the work together. But of absolute certainties, at least for now, there are none. The field speech is different, which instead does not reserve any unknowns. Against Palermo it will be 3-5-1-1, with Vidal, Pirlo and Pogba in midfield, Marchisio as attacking midfielder and Vucinic as the only striker. On the other hand, the rosanero, in need of points at all costs, are in good condition, even if Ilicic, their most fit man (5 goals in the last 5 games) will start from the bench due to groin pain.
After the match, if it will be the Scudetto, Juventus will board an open coach and tour Turin. In the evening, however, everyone to bed, orders from Antonio Conte. In fact, Wednesday is the midweek shift in Bergamo and the coach is keen to make a good impression.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Juventus (3-5-1-1): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Marchisio; Vucinic.
On the bench: Storari, Rubinho, Caceres, Peluso, Marrone, De Ceglie, Padoin, Giaccarini, Isla, Giovinco, Matri, Quagliarella, Bendtner, Anelka.
Trainer: Antonio Conte.
Unavailable: Pepe
Disqualified: nobody.
Beware: Pirlo, Matri, Bonucci, De Ceglie, Padoin, Peluso, Lichtsteiner.
Palermo (3-5-2): Sorrento; Von Bergen, Donati, Aronica; Nelson, Barreto, Rios, Kurtic, Dossena; Hernandez, Miccoli.
On the bench: Benussi, Brichetto, Munoz, Anselmo, Faurlin, Garcia, Viola, Fabbrini, Formica, Boselli, Dybala.
Trainer: Joseph Sannino.
Unavailable: Mantua.
Disqualified: Morganella (1).
Beware: Kurtic, Garcia, Ilicic, Donati, Miccoli, Barreto.
Referee: Andrew Romeo (Verona).
Line Assistants: Stefani-Padovan.
Port Assistants: Calvarese – Candussio.
Fourth official: Crickets.
