Successful enterprise. Juventus conquers the Camp Nou with a sensational 3-0 and thus scores an incredible blow, much bigger than the "simple" first place in the group. In fact, imposing yourself with such a result in one of the most prestigious fields in the world will remain in the annals and, perhaps, will give Pirlo's creature the decisive boost for the continuation of the season, in the league and in the Champions League. Lazio also completed the great football Tuesday, having qualified for the round of 20 after 2 years of abstinence: the 2-XNUMX on Club Brugge, complete with chills in the recovery, is certainly not the best of life, the pass to continue dreaming in Europe but yes.
The cover of the day, however, belongs by right to Cristiano Ronaldo, emerged victorious from the duel with Messi. His brace (penalty, okay, but still brace) first opened the match (13'), then closed it (52'), giving Juve one of the greatest feats of recent years. In between, the real jewel of the evening, ie McKennie's splendid goal (20'), arrived with a volley after a splendid choral action by the team. First place, in the light of yesterday's performance, is therefore fully deserved and never mind if Barça showed all their weaknesses: in the first leg, after all, they were capable of much more.
"Winning like this was important for us and for our journey, we started again from the second half of the derby: when you enter the field with this determination, you can see the values on the field - the enthusiastic comment of Pirlo – CR7 also in defense? We all wanted to make a great test, especially him against his eternal rival. We are really satisfied."
Celebrate, as mentioned earlier, too Lazio, which passes the round despite a thrilling final. Overall, the Biancocelesti played a good game, but inexperience at certain levels and some mistakes by Inzaghi (having replaced Immobile, Luis Alberto and Leiva at the same time in the 75th minute could have cost a lot) risked ruining it so indelible. Luckily, however, De Ketelaere printed the 3-2 ball on the crossbar in full stoppage time, allowing Lazio to save the 2-2 final, and therefore qualification.
And to think that things had already started quite well in the 12th minute with Correa's goal, to improve further after Vorner's momentary equalizer (15'), when Immobile had first scored the 2-1 penalty (27'), then Sobol got expelled leaving Club Brugge in 10 (39'). The second half had continued without any particular jolts and so in the 75th minute Inzaghi, reassured by the two results out of the three available, had even allowed himself the luxury of substituting the three best to let them rest in view of the championship. Very serious mistake, because when a minute later Vanaken found the 2-2 on the development of a corner, the team found itself having to manage the final without its strongest players, even risking losing. Fortunately, however, the crossbar had a hand in it, giving Lazio a historic qualification.
“We made some forced substitutions because at half-time I had players lying on the couch who weren't feeling very well – he explained Inzaghi – Probably only in the next few days will the boys realize what they have done. We are in the first sixteen of Europe unbeaten, we return to the round of 20 after XNUMX years: we deserved the qualification”.
INTER-SHAKHTAR AND AJAX-ATALANTA
Today, however, it's up to Inter and Atalanta, awaited by an evening, if possible, even more exciting. Conte's Nerazzurri must beat Shakhtar at the San Siro (21pm) and hope that Real Madrid and Borussia Moenchengladbach don't draw, while for those of Gasperini it will be enough not to lose in Amsterdam in the direct clash with Ajax (18.55). It's difficult to make predictions, because everything is truly possible as never before, but it is clear that Atalanta depends only on themselves, while Inter must appeal to the result in Madrid.
Of course, given how things had turned out a couple of weeks ago, it's already a lot to be back in the race, so there's no need to look at the half-empty glass but to face the evening with positivity and, above all, concentration: if your head goes too much on Real-Gladbach, in fact, there would be the risk of underestimating Shakhtar, who are also in the middle of the qualifying race.
“We have to win against a great team, this is the reality of the facts – he thundered Tale in the press conference – Seven days ago, before Borussia, we were all given up for dead, but now an important glimmer has opened up. Cookie in Madrid? We are talking about the Champions League, not a bar tournament…”.
True, but the possibility that the Spaniards and the Germans could settle for a draw exists, especially if Inter were to take the lead comfortably: at that point, in fact, it wouldn't even be a question of a "biscuit", but of the normal logic of things . In favor of Inter, however, there is the difficult situation Real is experiencing, only calmed down by Saturday's success in Seville: Zidane is under attack and a difficult qualification, or worse, an elimination, certainly wouldn't help him.
"We know what we want, if we take the 3 points we'll finish first in the group - confirmed the French coach - We're ready to play a great game, with many difficulties but also with a positive spirit: we'll do everything to win". The feeling, therefore, is that Inter would do better to focus on Shakhtar, also because they will have to face him with many absences in midfield: Vidal, Nainggolan, Vecino will be missing and even Barella is not doing well at all (only on the bench for him).
Conte could thus have to rely on the martyred Eriksen, precisely on the most important night, unless he decides to risk Sensi, which however gives few guarantees from a physical point of view. The Nerazzurri 3-4-1-2 will thus see Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defense, Hakimi, Gagliardini, Brozovic and Young in midfield, Eriksen in the frontline, Lukaku and Lautaro in attack. Castro, who might even need a draw (and then Madrid would be forced to win), will respond with a 4-2-3-1 with Trubin in goal, Dodo, Bondar, Stepanenko and Vitao in the back, Matvienko and Kovalenko in the midfield, Teté, Marlos and Taison behind the lone striker Moraes.
The other big challenge today is Ajax-Atalanta, a real play-off-qualification that the Bergamo players, in light of the extra point in the standings, will however be able to face with two results out of three available. Unfortunately for them they arrive in a climate of tension and controversy, son of a hard-nosed argument (someone even talks about hands on each other) between Gasperini and Gomez, with Ilicic defending his partner. In the light of these revelations, confirmed by the Udine squad (both Papu and the Slovenian were missing from the list), it is clear how the Atalanta toy, practically perfect up to now, is in grave danger.
In Bergamo there are even rumors of a Gasperini furious with the company, guilty according to him of not having defended him enough, ready to resign immediately after the match in Amsterdam. “Qualification is the only thing that matters – glossed over the person concerned -. Being able to count on two results out of three is a small advantage, but we have to be able to propose ourselves and score, we can't just defend ourselves with the risk of suffering the initiative from Ajax".
"Atalanta are an incredible team, with a very interesting style of play: I respect their entire system, including the way the club is structured - he confirmed Ten Hague – But we want to go through, both to be part of the best in Europe and for the 15 million up for grabs. We will play as always, there will be space for both teams."
In short, the Amsterdam Arena promises to be a show, with Gasperini who will rely on the 3-4-1-2 type with Gollini in goal, Toloi, Romero and Djimsiti in defense, Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler and Gosens in midfield, Gomez behind by Ilicic and Zapata. A classic 4-3-3 also for Ajax, who will respond with Onana in goal, Klaiber, Schuurs, Blind and Tagliafico in the back, Alvarez, Klaassen and Gravenberch in the midfield, Antony, Tadic and Neres in attack.
