LAZIO - JUVENTUS 0-1
ATALANTA 1-1 NAPLES
For the Scudetto eleven years later. The last time Lazio and Juventus faced each other for the title, things were quite different, both in life (the Euro, for example, was still in the pipeline) and in football. Lazio was commanded by Sergio Cagnotti, who at the time seemed strong and indestructible, even if certainly not at the level of Luciano Moggi. On April 2000, 90, at the Delle Alpi stadium (which today has changed its name, face and owner), Juventus and Lazio fought for XNUMX minutes. In the end, the Biancocelesti won with a goal from "Cholo" Simeone, a header that became the symbol of Lazio's second championship. It was the high point of the rivalry between Lazio and Juve, which since then, for various reasons, have never played for a trophy of this level.
However, tonight (stadio Olimpico, 20.45pm) the match between the two teams will once again be top-ranked, and if not decisive (we're still on matchday 13) it will certainly be indicative. Lazio is the real surprise of this first glimpse of the season: in the summer we praised Lotito's transfer campaign, but frankly we didn't think he could be that high. Even Juve amazed everyone in some way: we knew the qualities of Conte and the newcomers, but it was too much to expect such a departure. Lazio and Juventus are tied at 22 points, and look down on all the other big names from the top of the standings. The bianconeri even have a game to recover (against Napoli next Tuesday), and this says a lot about the goodness of their work. In summary, tonight's meeting could clarify two important questions: is this Juve really ready to go on the run? And what are Lazio's real goals?
Of course, if the two teams show the grit expressed by the two coaches in yesterday's press conferences, then we will see a top-level match. Antonio Conte and Edy Reja don't like beating about the bush but prefer to say things clearly and roundly. And so, the Juventus coach didn't hide behind the usual phrases of circumstance: “The match at the Olimpico will be very important. Lazio are level on points with us, let's see what will happen, but we will certainly go to Rome to play the match, not to wait for the opponent. Scudetto? You always ask me the same thing, but I repeat that we are not favourites."
For the first time since the beginning of the season, Conte is grappling with an important training doubt: Andrea Pirlo's presence is still uncertain, due to a knee blow sustained in Thursday's training. The playmaker will be tried out in this morning's training session, but if he doesn't make it, there won't be any form upheavals. His place would be taken by Michele Pazienza, who will therefore allow Conte to confirm the now tested 4-3-3 (or 4-2-3-1, if you prefer).
On the other hand, Edy Reja has no training problems, who has all the big names available, including Miroslav Klose, who was absent in Naples last Saturday. The only ballot concerns Rocchi and Cissè, with the captain slightly favored over the Frenchman, who hasn't scored since 15 September (goal from a penalty against Vaslui in the Europa League). The Lazio coach looks forward to tonight's match, which could really allow the eaglets to take flight: “It's an important match for us, and also for Juve. He will give us the exact dimensions, for Lazio it is a key match: we have never had great performances at home. We will need to put in a great performance and try to win, we know the value of the black and whites well but we have great consideration for ourselves. We tried the race during the week, we know how to deal with them. You will need to be right even in individual duels to defeat your opponent”.
