And here we are at the final act of the season. Juventus and Naples will play it in the prestigious setting of the Olympic stadium in Rome, under the eyes of the President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano and those of many other "VIPs", politicians and non-politicians. Therefore, the Bianconeri and the Azzurri will compete for the Italian Cup, which is perhaps no coincidence. Five years ago, more or less these days, both were celebrating promotion to Serie A (albeit with very different moods). A necessary act for Juve, relegated due to the well-known facts of Calciopoli, a step towards Napoli, who after having known the shame of bankruptcy (and of the fields of C) returned angry to the main stage. It is necessary to remember this and it is probable that the two teams will do it too, at least in the Olimpico tunnel. Because at 21 the word will pass to the field and then we will witness a challenge that promises to be beautiful. Don't deceive the 23 points that divided Italian champion Juventus and fifth-placed Napoli, anything can happen in the straight match. The Bianconeri are starting as favourites, but the Azzurri have already shown that they know how to subvert the odds (right Manchester City?). But it's not just the Italian Cup that is taking the lead, which remains the main argument. In fact, the evening in Rome will also be the last for Alessandro Del Piero and Ezequiel Lavezzi in their respective shirts; both will play from the first minute, both hoping to make their mark once again.
Sure to enjoy a heart-pounding game, we only hope that everything goes smoothly on the public order front, the real unknown factor of the evening. Over 30 fans are expected from Naples, more or less the same number as Juventus fans, many of whom, however, are resident in Rome. Needless to deny it, the capital is afraid: of clashes between fans, of ambushes of the police, even of warlike strategies by Roma and Lazio fans against unwanted guests. A real public order emergency, exacerbated by the International Tennis teams, which have also reached the final act, which the Viminale will face with 2 agents (including police, carabinieri, firefighters and financiers) and over a thousand stewards.
HERE JUVENTUS
Trials of 3-5-2 in the "laboratory" of Vinovo. In fact, Juventus, unlike Napoli, carried out finishing training in its sports center and not at the Olympic stadium in Rome. According to the latest rumors, Conte's doubts are basically two: the left winger (ballot Estigarribia – Pepe) and the striker to support Del Piero. Yes, because for once the Captain is sure he will play from the start, while the name of his partner is not yet certain: Vucinic seemed to be the favourite, but Borriello's prices have risen in the last few hours.
As usual, the day before was the climax with the press conferences. Together with Antonio Conte, there was also Alex Del Piero, in the last game of his career with the black and white shirt. “I think tomorrow night's final is the culmination of a truly beautiful, extraordinary year on our part – said the Juventus coach – which saw us as protagonists by winning the championship, clearly. Now we want to write another winning page”. Conte then spoke of Napoli ("The absolute worst team to face in the final, because they have enormous potential and they also demonstrated it in the Champions League") and the betting scandal, which in recent days has seen him involved following the (alleged) revelations of Carobbio. “I answer as I did during the championship: nothing new on the horizon. I've read the articles and I don't have to answer, because I would be disrespectful to whoever is doing the investigation. If and when I am called, I will have the pleasure of speaking and answering. Like I said a few weeks ago, we're on the ball and we dance”. On the other hand, great emotion for Del Piero, who however, as a true captain, wanted to focus attention only on the match: “It's been different, special weeks. But focus on achieving victory, and now I don't want to divert attention from that goal. The important thing is the present, thinking about tomorrow, about winning, then there will be the holidays, and all the rest. But first I want to write yet another winning page with my mates".
HERE NAPLES
Finishing on the lawn of the Olimpico for Mazzarri's men. The coach, who will have to give up Gargano due to disqualification, wanted his players to concentrate above all on ball possession, the weapon with which Napoli wants to face Juventus. Running and pace, the other aspects on which the Azzurri's work was based, shouldn't be missing either. Mazzarri should play with the 3-5-2, slightly different formation from the more classic one (3-4-2-1) but specular to the opponents. There is only one doubt: Pandev or Lavezzi? From the latest indications, the ballot was won by Pocho, most likely in his last appearance in the Napoli shirt. Immediately after the session, Mazzarri went to the press conference together with Christian Maggio. “You don't need to prepare the kids psychologically, everyone knows the importance of commitment” said the coach of the Neapolitans, who then spoke of the opponent: “The favor is Juventus. They have done an important job, both the club with the investments and the coach and the team with the work on the field. I hope the boys are full of adrenaline but not tense, I fear the tension that has sometimes played tricks on us. I know my parents would do anything to beat Juve, who have more experienced players than ours and have less pressure because they have just won a Scudetto. For us, on the other hand, it's an event, but if we hadn't played the Champions League for the first time, we would have had at least 13 more points in the standings”. Great tension also on Maggio's face, in the first final of his career: "It's incredible to play this match, for the fans and for the club. We will try to stay calm, play our game and bring home the maximum. We have respect for the opponent, we will play our cards. However, the club is so ambitious that they won't be influenced by the outcome of a match, Napoli will continue to grow over time".
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Juventus (3-5-2): Storaries; Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Estigarribia; Del Piero, Borriello.
On the bench: Manninger, Padoin, Giaccarini, Pepe, Quagliarella, Vucinic, Matri.
Trainer: Antonio Conte
Unavailable: Chiellini, DeCeglie, Krasic, Elia.
Disqualified: no
Naples (3-5-2): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; May, Dzemaili, Inler, Hamsik, Zuniga; Lavezzi, Cavani.
On the bench: Rosati, Grava, Britos, Fernandez, Dossena, Vargas, Pandev.
Trainer: Walter Mazzarri
Unavailable: Donadel
Disqualified: Gargano.
Referee: Christian Brighi (Cesena)
Assistants: Niccolai – Copelli.
Fourth official: Bergonzi.
