Straight to the goal. The championship restarts after the break, the last of this season, ready to give us a final rush to be experienced. In fact, the remaining ten days will establish successes and failures for most of the teams involved, with the exception, barring frankly unthinkable upheavals, for the Scudetto, now firmly in Juve's hands. The Lady will be the first big name to take the field this Saturday: Andreazzoli's Empoli arrives at the Stadium (18 pm)., for a match that has all the air of being rather obvious. Of course, the Tuscans are in the middle of a fight for salvation but it is difficult, at least a priori, to think that the Bianconeri can let the 3 points slip away, even without Ronaldo. The absence of the Portuguese, daughter of an injury remedied in the national team, is definitely more worrying in terms of the Champions League, although a discreet optimism filters from Continassa.
“There are many rumors circulating but caution is needed – explained Allegri. – Better to miss a game than two months of the championship, he will only return when he is well and there is no danger of relapses ”. In short, sealed mouths, also because the Portuguese enjoys total autonomy and knows how to be his own best doctor: translated, it means that he, who has always been maniacal in taking care of his body, will decide what to do. However, we will only think about this in a few days, when the away match in Amsterdam is really upon us. First there is a rather intense week of the championship, in which Juve will have to face Empoli, Cagliari and Milan: needless to say that 9 points would close any Scudetto discussion and allow Allegri to work only on the Champions League. “Until we reach the goal we have to think from time to time – commented the coach. – The 15 points lead exists but just as many are missing for the mathematical victory, now we have a difficult second-half game, we'll need a tough performance and then we'll think about Cagliari. We have to win without making calculations because we have already given one to Genoa, now there are no more alibis”.
In short, maximum concentration on Empoli, without however taking his eyes off the next very tight commitments. It is no coincidence that Allegri will rotate his men a bit, also by virtue of who played the most during the break. His 4-3-3 will see Szczesny in goal, Cancelo, Chiellini, Rugani and Alex Sandro in defence, Emre Can, Pjanic and Matuidi in midfield, Dybala, Mandzukic and Bernardeschi in attack. Andreazzoli will respond with a 3-5-2 that will see Dragowski between the posts, Veseli, Maietta and Dell'Orco in the back, Di Lorenzo, Traoré, Bennacer, Krunic and Pasqual in the midfield, Farias and Caputo as an offensive duo. The evening match, however, was much more balanced, with Milan awaiting Marassi's treacherous away match against Sampdoria (20.30 pm). It goes without saying that here the points are platinum: for the Blucerchiati, on the last call for a place in the Europa League and above all for the Rossoneri, called to restart after the flop in the derby that called the Champions League into question. The weekend will also see several direct clashes (Roma-Napoli and Inter-Lazio above all), which is why it should be circled on the calendar as one of the most important of the season, especially with only 10 days to go.
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“The defeat in the derby was a blow but we have to look ahead because we are there and we have to reach our Scudetto, which is the Champions League – thought Gattuso. – Bitternesses and mistakes must be set aside, against Sampdoria I want to see the usual Milan that doesn't give gifts. We have to go back to being the team we've seen in recent months, less beautiful, but who don't suffer from their opponents. We will do everything to achieve our goal." The coach therefore expects important answers after the bad misstep against Inter, which cost him dearly both in terms of the standings (the Nerazzurri returned to third place) and morale. The images of the clash between Kessie and Biglia, for example, have been around the world and the intervention of the company, however timely, is not enough to erase them from the collective memory. “I had a confrontation with Kessie, I don't hold a grudge but I believe that maximum respect is needed in teams – continued Gattuso. – I was very disappointed, I made it clear to both of us, the club behaved very well. As a footballer, I too have made mistakes several times but I have always paid dearly for my behavior...".
This last clarification suggests that the question is far from closed: it is no coincidence that the Ivorian, untouchable up to now, risks watching today's match from the bench. However, Gattuso has no intention of deviating too much from the usual 4-3-3, therefore Donnarumma in goal, Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli and Rodriguez in defense, Bakayoko, Biglia and Calhanoglu in midfield (Paquetà, fresh from the matches with Brazil, could rest), Suso, Piatek and Castillejo in attack. Ordinance training instead for Giampaolo, who will respond with a 4-3-1-2 that will see Audero between the posts, Sala, Andersen, Colley and Murru in the back department, Praet, Linetty and Jankto in the midfield, Ramirez behind the pair offensive composed by Gabbiadini and Quagliarella.
