The Scudetto is further tinged with black and white. The 4-0 over Genoa represents, if still needed, the excessive power of Juventus in the Italian championship, even if, given the latest European results, it would be appropriate to extend the concept to the whole world of football. To date, the bianconeri can be considered the absolute elite, so much so that they are the only ones to play for the chance of the treble among the big names on the continent. Other than mental exhaustion: Juve faced the match against Genoa with the same hunger as on Wednesday in Barcelona, albeit with different interpreters.
Many changes by Allegri without touching the 4-2-3-1 and, above all, a good part of the stellar attack that characterizes him. Outside only Cuadrado, inside the "usual" Mandzukic, Dybala and Higuain. It is precisely these who decide the match, Pipita with an assist to Marchisio who propitiates Munoz's own goal (17'), Joya with a splendid left foot that leaves Lamanna (18') stoned: two flashes in as many minutes that they close, in fact, any discussion.
In fact, the rest is pure academia, with Juve still scoring to complete poker (41' Mandzukic, 64' Bonucci) and three woodwinds (Marchisio, Higuain, Asamoah) not to extend it to more tennis proportions. “Scudetto in your pocket? We are still 8 points away – commented Allegri – This was a game to be won at all costs, the boys did good. My future? It doesn't depend on the results but on the stimuli, the conditions for staying are there but now is not the time to talk about it".
The last chapter of the 33rd day will arrive tonight, when Roma will take to the Adriatic field to face Pescara (20.45 pm). Delicate game, all the more so after Napoli's misstep in Reggio Emilia: the Giallorossi, in fact, can go back up to +4 in the standings, securing second place again.
"We are fighting for a very important position, if we reach it then it will mean that we will have done our best - thought Spalletti - We have to pay attention to Pescara, they are a good team that thanks to Zeman are becoming even less cheeky". The coach does not want to drop in tension and is ready to rely on the best possible formation, therefore 4-2-3-1 with Szczesny in goal, Bruno Peres, Manolas, Fazio and Juan Jesus in defence, Strootman and De Rossi in midfield, Salah , Nainggolan and El Shaarawy on the frontline, Dzeko in attack.
Zeman will respond with his classic 4-3-3 with Fiorillo in goal, Zampano, Coda, Bovo and Biraghi in the back, Memushaj, Muntari and Coulibaly in the midfield, Benali, Bahebeck and Caprari in the offensive trident.
“Match point” second place made possible, as mentioned above, by misstep of Naples, unable to go beyond the draw on the Sassuolo field. A 2-2 fireworks that of the Mapei Stadium, full of emotions and twists. After a goalless first half, the teams went wild in the second half, going head-to-head and creating numerous chances for goals.
The first to exploit one were the Azzurri, who took the lead thanks to a header by Mertens following an assist from Callejon (52'). But Sassuolo didn't give up and in the 59th minute they equalized with Berardi, cold in taking advantage of a mistake by Hamsik and beating Reina. Napoli tried to win in every way but after coming close to 2-1 (Mertens' crossbar and Insigne's post) they even ended up conceding (Mazzitelli 80'), thus confirming their defensive limits.
In the final, Milik took care of avoiding defeat (84') but not a draw which is still negative, at least in light of the standings. “It is undeniable that in the episodes we have been unlucky – the words of Sarri – The match was in our hands, unfortunately we complicated it and brought our opponents back to life. It's a problem that has hit us several times this season."
