A piece of the Scudetto passes through here. Juventus-Roma (20.45 pm) is undoubtedly the highlight of this Saturday in the championship, a top-level clash in which there will be no room for any kind of pre-Christmas discount, on the contrary… The feeling is that of a very important match to understand the real balance of the top classification and the speech, obviously, applies above all to Di Francesco's team. In fact, there is no doubt about Allegri's: after all, whoever wins the championship for 6 years in a row can only be always the favourite. “In recent years she has always been our antagonist together with Napoli, which is why I consider her much more dangerous than others – commented the Juventus coach. – We respect their qualities, I expect a decidedly balanced challenge”.
Allegri expects a combative Rome and in fact it should be like this, at least to hear Di Francesco's words. “We will not change our identity – explained the Giallorossi. – We will try at all costs for a positive result, we certainly won't go to Turin on a trip ". The match is a tough one and both will try to face it with the best possible formations, obviously net of injuries and suspensions. Allegri should deploy the now customary 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, Barzagli, Benatia, Chiellini and Alex Sandro in defence, Khedira, Pjanic and Matuidi in midfield, Douglas Costa, Higuain and Dybala in attack, alternatively he could return to 4-2-3-1 with one more Mandzukic (recovered but not at his best) and one less midfielder.
No tactical doubts instead for Di Francesco who will respond with the classic 4-3-3 with Alisson in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio and Kolarov in the back, Strootman, De Rossi and Nainggolan in the midfield to support the offensive trident composed by Perotti , Dzeko and El Shaarawy. Whoever wins stays in Napoli's wake, as long as the match against Sampdoria (15 pm) doesn't give any surprises. In the event of a blue misstep, in fact, the challenge in Turin could even mark a change at the top, an eventuality that Sarri and his supporters obviously want to avoid at all costs. After all, Napoli would seem to have overcome the difficult moment of a few weeks ago, while Giampaolo's Sampdoria, after the excellent autumn, is experiencing a rather complicated winter (3 defeats and 1 draw in the last 4, to which must be added the premature elimination in the Italian Cup).
On paper, in short, the blues are the favorites, determined to win to get closer to the title of winter champions. Sarri will rely on his usual 4-3-3 with Reina in goal, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defense, Allan, Jorginho and Hamsik in midfield, Callejon, Mertens and Insigne in attack. Usual 4-3-1-2 also for Giampaolo, who will try the coup with Viviano in goal, Bereszynski, Silvestre, Ferrari and Strinic in the back, Barreto, Torreira and Praet in the midfield, Ramirez in the trocar behind the offensive duo Quagliarella -Caprari.
