Forced to win, even without Ronaldo. Juventus prepares for the match against Brescia (15 pm) with the knowledge that they can no longer make mistakes, otherwise they risk compromising the Scudetto race, regardless of the decision to let CR7 rest, not even called up. The Sunday that we are about to experience, on paper, would seem to be rather favorable to the Lady and not only for the home match against the penultimate in the standings: tonight's Lazio-Inter in fact, whatever the result, will take points away from someone. The bianconeri can therefore take advantage of it, provided they don't miss their match: it would be truly unforgivable and would create a real storm, moreover in a much less serene environment than usual.
“Let's think about our match without looking at the others, in this period there can be nothing decisive – cut short Sarri. – It was clear from the start that this was going to be a different championship, so we have to find stimuli from this situation. I think it's stimulating to be there to play for the Scudetto until the end, it could give us great motivation... Now let's focus on Brescia, they're a team that has done better away than at home, it's not easy to face. In this phase there are no easy matches, the second round is always more complicated than the first leg”. However, his Juventus can no longer afford mistakes, because the latest results (the defeat in Verona above all, but also the difficult draw in Milan) have created doubts and uncertainties, above all on technical guidance.
The dinner with Agnelli and Paratici, rather than sending a message of unity, confirmed the need for discussions, the rest was done by the rumors about Guardiola, which literally exploded after City's disqualification from the next two editions of the Champions League. To complete the picture here are the words of Klopp, who indicated Juve as the favorite to climb to the top of Europe: just a little more pressure on a coach already in the eye of the storm. A beautiful and convincing victory is urgently needed, useful at least to sweep away some clouds. Sarri, despite the injuries to Douglas Costa and Bernardeschi and the decision to rest Ronaldo, will insist on a 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, Danilo, Rugani, Bonucci and Alex Sandro in defence, Ramsey, Bentancur and Rabiot in midfield. Cuadrado, Higuain and Dybala in the offensive trident.
Also noteworthy is Chiellini's return to the squad, once again ready to breathe the match atmosphere, albeit from the bench, after almost six months away from the fields. Lopez, lacking three 90-pointers like Tonali, Torregrossa and Joronen, will attempt what would be a real feat with the same game system as his rivals, with Alfonso in goal, Sabelli, Mateju, Chancellor and Martella in the back. Bisoli, Dessena and Bjarnason in the midfield, Zmrhal in the frontline, Ayé and Balotelli in attack. The victories of Lecce and Genoa against Spal and Bologna make the fight for salvation even more interesting, the share of which at this point moves decisively upwards, risking involving even teams that were thinking of something else entirely.
The race for fourth place, on the other hand, is colored by Nerazzurri: the Champions League play-off between Atalanta and Rome, in fact, was taken by Gasperini, now at +6 (but in fact there are 7 given the direct matches in favor) over Fonseca. A wonderful match was staged in Bergamo between two teams devoted to attack and determined to win at any cost, and just as predicted, it was the Nerazzurri who took all the stakes, leaving the Giallorossi in a crisis of results and of identity. The numbers listed on the eve did not bode well for Fonseca, called to get up after a terrible start to 2020: this, despite being a very complicated match, could have been the right opportunity to turn the wind, instead he sanctioned the third consecutive defeat, the fifth in the last 8 games.
And to say that things had gone well given that Atalanta, despite their territorial dominance, had conceded a gigantic flaw at the end of the half, opening the doors of the 1-0 (45 ') to Dzeko. But Palomino, protagonist of the mistake in question, redeemed himself shortly after the interval with the 1-1 paw (50'), putting his teammates back in the game and Roma in the corner. And when Pasalic, who came on for a few seconds for Zapata, overturned the result with a right-footed shot "alla Del Piero", Bergamo could go back to thinking about the Champions League, present and future: in fact, Valencia will arrive at the San Siro on Wednesday, for a eighth final unpredictable and all to be enjoyed.
“It's an important victory, we can fight for it and return to the Champions League – exulted Gasperini. – There is the belief that we can finish ahead of Roma. What we are experiencing in this stadium and away from home is wonderful, it will be like this on Wednesday at the San Siro with Valencia too: there will be 40 people, practically a city that moves to give us a big boost". On the other hand, the mood in Rome is completely different, where you need to familiarize yourself with the concept of bankruptcy, unless, from now on, there is a clear trend reversal. “In terms of commitment, I cannot reproach the boys for anything, it is above all a question of the head – Fonseca's bitter comment. – Champions League compromised? There are still 14 games to go and I think anything is possible: in such a balanced championship anyone can lose points…”.
True, and his Rome, even in the wake of the championship before Christmas, proves it. However, it is one thing to lose a couple of games, another is to deliberately collapse without a parachute. Fonseca and Petrachi have the task of finding one, otherwise Friedkin's Rome will no longer be their problem.
