We return to the field, even if with death in our hearts. The news of disappearance of Gianluca Vialli has rightly overshadowed everything else, catalysing media attention more than any other topic. The championship weekend will thus be marked by mourning and memories, with all stadiums ready to pay due respects to a great champion, beyond the minute's silence decided by Lega Serie A. Vialli was loved by all, but he clear that, from a footballing point of view, they are the fans of Sampdoria, Juventus and Cremonese to have had it in my heart: therefore it is logical to imagine a chilling atmosphere at the Stadium for today's match between the Bianconeri and Udinese, as well as tomorrow at Marassi in Sampdoria-Naples, even if we are sure that the same thing will be repeated on the other pitches , starting with the two advances (Juve aside) Monza-Inter and Fiorentina-Sassuolo.
Juventus-Udinese (18pm, Dazn)
Surely the tribute to Vialli, captain of the last Juventus to lift the Champions League, will be just the umpteenth stimulus for Allegri's bianconeri, who have plenty of reasons to beat Udinese. Cremona's victory, combined with Inter's victory over Napoli, shortened the standings significantly, giving new life to Juventus' dreams of glory. Furthermore, today's match precedes direct confrontation next Friday at Maradona, which is why failing would be almost unforgivable: the goal is to face the leaders at least with the current gap, even if it is clear that a favor from Sampdoria would be very welcome (and not only in Turin). To try to ruin the plans of the Lady will be the Udinese of Sottil, already capable of beat Roma and Inter, as well as stopping Atalanta and Lazio on a draw. However, it must also be said that there is an abyss between the Friulians at the beginning of the season and the current ones, both in terms of performance and play: the last victory, not surprisingly, dates back to the eighth day against Verona. In short, when Udinese slowed down, Juventus made a breakthrough, which instead reached seven consecutive victories, moreover all without conceding a goal.
Allegri flies low: “Scudetto? Napoli are favourites, we aim to be in the top four”.
“First I want to dedicate a thought of Gianluca Vialli, he represented so much as a player but above all as a man: he was an example to follow, we will all miss him – Allegri began at the press conference, before focusing on football issues -. Udinese is having an excellent championship, it will be a complicated match but we will have a full stadium, it will be a good opportunity for us. However, the prospects for the scudetto do not change: Napoli have many points ahead, there is the possibility that after sixteen games the first stop has arrived, then there are Inter and Milan: we want stay in the top four and play our chances in the Italian Cup and Europa League”.
Juventus-Udinese, the formations: Allegri raises Di Maria from the first minute
The pretactic does not change the substance: Juve must win and he will try to do it with all his strength, net of the many absences that continue to mow it down. Compared to Cremona, Bremer will be missing, stopped by a muscle strain, but on the other hand there will be Di Maria, able again and enlisted after the contusion a few days ago. Allegri will bet on one 3-5-2 with Szczesny in goal, Danilo, Rugani and Alex Sandro in defense, McKennie, Miretti, Locatelli, Rabiot and Kostic in midfield, Di Maria and Kean in attack. Same game system also for Sottil, who will respond with Silvestri in goal, Becao, Bijol and Nehuen Perez in the back, Pereyra, Lovric, Walace, Arslan and Udogie in the midfield, Success and Beto as an offensive pair.
Monza-Inter (20.45 pm, Dazn and Sky Sport)
The other big match on Saturday is at the Brianteo, where Inter will be looking for another victory after the heavy one against Napoli. In front, however, there will be Palladino's Monza, already able to beat Juventus at the beginning of the season, but above all returning from an excellent performance in Florence. In short, the Nerazzurri's mission is not at all obvious, yet Inzaghi will have to find a way to accomplish it: in fact, slipping into Brianza after stopping the leaders would be truly unforgivable. The coach, who went silent yesterday on the press, knows perfectly well the importance of the stakes, especially since, unlike Allegri, he has never hidden the Scudetto goal. “I'd like to relive the environment experienced in the victory against Juventus, I want 26 animals and a full stadium – growled Palladino -. We want to put a big battleship in difficulty and in this sense I perceive the right inertia: I'm interested in the mentality, on a physical level we're fine, so I'm sure we'll put in a great performance, regardless of the result".
Monza-Inter, the formations: Inzaghi finds Lukaku and Lautaro again
Inter are therefore warned, but it is clear that on a technical level they are clearly the favourites. Inzaghi then has almost the entire squad available except Brozovic, so much so that he can afford heavy choices in all departments, such as leaving out the starting eleven that Dzeko who, just three days ago, beat Napoli's unbeaten streak. His 3-5-2 he will thus see Onana in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defense, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan and Dimarco in midfield, Lautaro and Lukaku in attack. Classic 3-4-2-1 also for Palladino, who will attempt the coup with Di Gregorio in goal, Caldirola, Pablo Marì and Izzo in the back, Birindelli, Pessina, Machin and Carlos Augusto in the midfield, Ciurria and Caprari behind the lone striker Mota Carvalho.
