On the attack from Inter. On Saturday in Serie A we will see him on the pitch Juventus and Milan, determined to win points while waiting for the Nerazzurri to respond in Florence: Allegri could go to +4, Pioli close to minus 3, always keeping in mind that Inzaghi still misses the match against Atalanta. The Bianconeri and Rossoneri, even more so, cannot make mistakes, also because next week there will be the highly anticipated Derby d'Italia and getting there with a success would have a completely different flavour.
Juventus – Empoli (18pm, Dazn)
The eyes are focused first and foremost on Juventus, called to beat Empoli to consolidate the lead in the rankings, albeit virtually. In fact, Inter would still have two matches left and if the one against Atalanta is still far away (28 February), the same cannot be said for the one in Florence, scheduled for tomorrow evening. However, the fact remains that the calendar, at least in this period, is smiling on the Lady, so it is necessary to score as many points as possible, hoping that the Nerazzurri are unable to do the same, otherwise the games could get very complicated. Next Sunday, then, it will be there the direct clash at San Siro and it is clear that getting there without beating Empoli would be truly unforgivable. Allegri knows that this is the moment to push, especially since his team, after an autumn characterized by short faces, seems to be in great physical and mental condition, regardless of some heavy absences (those, after all, the the others also have). The Livorno coach clings to the goal from the rediscovered Vlahovic, as well as the usual defensive solidity: cards that should be more than enough to beat the second-to-last Empoli in the standings, even if Nicola's arrival (and the consequent 3-0 over Monza) provided a nice shock.
Allegri stings Inter again: "I would say that we are Sinner and they are Djokovic, but they are touchy..."
“We have to have one great mental strength and balance because scoring points in the second part of the championship is difficult – confirmed Allegri, before launching into a biting tennis comparison towards his rivals -. I want to compliment Sinner, but seeing Djokovic is always nice: if I really have to say who looks like who, we are young and I say Sinner and Inter is Djokovic, but let's not say it because they are touchy... We are making our own journey and we must not settle, L 'Inter are the favorites and have scored a lot of points. Being close to them is a source of pride because they are doing extraordinary things, but we must not be satisfied."
Juventus – Empoli, the lineups: Allegri still without Chiesa and Rabiot
Even tonight, just like in Lecce, Allegri will have to do without two very starting players in Chiesa and Rabiot, both working to return against Inter. Furthermore, the coach will rest the suspended Danilo, thus avoiding the risk of losing him for next Sunday's super challenge. THEhis 3-5-2 will thus see Szczesny in goal, Gatti, Bremer and Alex Sandro in defense, Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Miretti and Kostic in midfield, Yildiz and Vlahovic in attack. Nicola, reassured by the nice 3-0 against Monza, will respond with a 3-4-2-1 with Caprile between the posts, Ismajli, Walukiewicz and Luperto in the defensive department, Bereszynski, Grassi, Marin and Gyasi in the midfield, Cambiaghi and Zurkowski behind the lone striker Cerri.
Milan – Bologna (20.45pm, Dazn and Sky)
In the evening it will be the turn of the Pioli's Milan, expected from a very interesting match with Thiago Motta's Bologna. The rossoblu coach, in full swing for Europe despite the decline of the last period (two defeats and a draw before stopping for the Super Cup), has been compared several times to the Devil's bench: the rumors, in fact, say that Furlani and Moncada are his great admirers. Pioli, therefore, will have one more reason to make a good impression, but the thing that interests him most is winning and continuing to rack up points. His Milan has just returned from four consecutive victories which have brought peace back to the environment, but now is the time to insist, both to keep the pursuers at a safe distance and to attempt to get closer to the leading pair Juventus-Inter. Talking about the Scudetto today makes little sense, but in a week's time there will be a direct clash at San Siro and the Rossoneri could gnaw away at other points, perhaps even for both: the sine qua non, obviously, is to win against Bologna and Frosinone, otherwise dreams of glory will have to be definitively put aside.
Pioli pulls out: "We're in a good moment, but as of today we're not in the championship fight"
“I think the team is having a good moment and is mentally well, especially because we have won some matches – underlined Pioli -. We only have to think about the match against Bologna, this must be our future. Today I prepared for the match and tried to motivate the boys, we know how important it is to do well in the second round. It will be difficult, Bologna plays excellent football, but we prepared ourselves to put on a performance worthy of our qualities. Inzaghi and Allegri say we're up for the championship? They're all very good, but we're not in that lottery right now. We are in our lottery, to think about winning matches to improve the first round."
Milan – Bologna, the lineups: Pioli confirms the usual 4-2-3-1
For the third week in a row Pioli will be able to field the same formation: a record given the numerous injuries this season, but also an indication that things are improving. The coach is still waiting for several players, from the infirmary (Thiaw, Tomori, Kalulu, Pobega, Bennacer), from the Africa Cup of Nations (Chukwueze) and, who knows, from the transfer market (there is still talk of Brest defender Brassier, but watch out for the surprises of the last few days), in the meantime, however, it is focusing decisively on 4-2-3-1 with which he beat Roma and Udinese, therefore Maignan in goal, Calabria, Kjaer, Gabbia and Theo Hernandez in defense, Adli and Reijnders in midfield, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Leao in the attacking midfield, Giroud in attack. Thiago Motta, without Ndoye, Soumaoro and El Azzouzi, will respond with the same game system, therefore 4-2-3-1 with Skorupski between the posts, De Silvestri, Beukema, Calafiori and Kristiansen in the back department, Freuler and Moro in the midfield, Orsolini, Ferguson and Saelemaekers behind the lone striker Zirkzee.
