A Martian in Empoli. That Cristiano Ronaldo is a champion has been known to everyone for a long time, but in Italy we were still waiting to see him lead Juve alone. It happened yesterday in the Castellani match, where only one of his great plays allowed the Bianconeri to get out of the quicksand of a draw that, without a doubt, would have created problems for Allegri. In fact, an excellent Empoli had even taken the lead and even after conceding the equalizer (always CR7, ça va sans dire) he was managing the game quite well. It is in cases like these that the champions have to make the difference: an easy concept to say, a little less to put into practice. But Ronaldo, you know, likes challenges and so, when in the 70th minute he saw a free hole under the top corner, he didn't think twice and threw the ball right there, regardless of the distance and the secluded position. Masterpiece that brought down Andreazzoli's team, thus giving the Lady 3 very heavy points and a quiet Sunday, with Napoli momentarily at minus 7.
“This goal is a visual example of how football is played – commented Allegri. – It is the demonstration that practice goes above theory, a technical gesture to be imitated, without explanations. In any case, I have to congratulate Empoli for the way they play, we felt a little tired and the match could have even ended in a draw”. The Juventus coach is not completely satisfied and all in all he has his reasons. Juve didn't approach it to the fullest and was hit by the usually very good Empoli, sensationally ahead with a nice left foot from Caputo (28'). Lady down? Let's not exaggerate, but of course the blow was strong and it took several minutes to recover. In the second half, however, the technical superiority over the opponents emerged and, above all, the episode that put the match back on an equal footing: a naive foul by Bennacer on Dybala, a penalty kick and Ronaldo's first goal (54'). We have already mentioned the second, as well as the 3 points that allow Juve to consolidate their first place in the standings.
This evening instead it will be Napoli's turn, engaged in the awaited match against Roma (20.30 pm). The game of the San Paolo is indecipherable and for this very reason open to all possible and imaginable scenarios. If it is true that the Azzurri have shown that they are clearly superior, it is also true that in the one-off match the Giallorossi can beat anyone, a fact demonstrated precisely in the Fuorigrotta area, when the 2-4 draw on 3 March cost them the loss of first place to Sarri and his followers. Furthermore, there is also the Champions League that has just been played to consider: a problem for both, agreed, but certainly Wednesday's away match in Paris was more expensive than the home match against CSKA Moscow, moreover a day earlier. “We have to believe it – explained Di Francesco bluntly. – We have an important match ahead that we can't miss, continuing like this we risk not qualifying for the next Champions League. We have to start again and this race can help us for that."
No response from Ancelotti, silent as usual after the European commitments, but words are certainly not needed to understand the importance of this challenge for the championship of his Napoli. As usual, the coach will rely on the turnover, albeit with moderation, to compose the blue 4-4-2 which will see Ospina in goal, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defence, Callejon, Allan, Hamsik and Zielinski in midfield, Insigne and Milik in attack. Tactical confirmations also for Di Francesco, who after the convincing 3-0 in the cup decided to re-propose the 4-2-3-1 with Olsen in goal, Santon, Manolas, Juan Jesus and Kolarov in the back, De Rossi and Nzonzi in the midfield, Under, Pellegrini and El Shaarawy in support of the lone striker Dzeko.
