Scudetto fight, it starts again! Between restraining orders and the usual, inevitable, controversies, the championship restarts full ranks after last weekend's stops, even if, for the most part, with the stadiums closed due to the Coronavirus emergency. This is not the case with Lazio-Bologna, the opening match of the 26th day (15 pm), destined instead to be played in an Olympic venue packed with over 40 people and ready to push the Biancocelesti towards the sensational first place in the standings.
In fact, a success would be worth overtaking Juve, albeit waiting for tomorrow's Italian derby against Inter. A beautiful prospect, I must say, as long as the ex Sinisa Mihajlovic doesn't play jokes to Simone Inzaghi: the two, although friends and teammates in the season of Eriksson's last championship, will not be able to exchange favors, because Bologna also needs points in the Europa League key.
However, it is clear that Lazio are the favorites to start, as demonstrated by the streak of 20 consecutive useful results collected in the league, the best in its history. “We're having wonderful days, even in Marassi it was nice to cheer with our fans – confirmed Inzaghi. – By beating Bologna we could put pressure on Juventus, even if they have a team built in a different way, at the top for a long time and who know how to handle pressure. In any case, I don't care how Juve-Inter will end, first we have to think about our match."
Which the coach had to prepare with more emergencies than usual: Acerbi and Marusic will be missing today, while Milinkovic-Savic, Immobile and Caicedo will grit their teeth but are not at their best. In short, even the time has come for Lazio to deal with injuries, as well as with the pressure from the standings. This round is inevitably not to be missed, because the concomitant Italian derby, however it ends, guarantees a chance to consolidate in the standings.
Winning would add further spice to tomorrow's challenge, which is already quite spicy on its own and not only for the eternal rivalry that has always distinguished it. To turn it on further The Coronavirus also got involved, which caused the authorities to close the stadium to the public and perhaps to postpone the match (the Government decides in the morning). An indisputable measure, God forbid, which however has dissatisfied everyone a bit: the fans, almost all of whom already have tickets (Juve will not reimburse them and the National Consumer Union has said it is ready to take legal action), the clubs (including Inter) and even part of politics (Salvini and Meloni above all), irritated by the idea of transmitting to the over 200 connected countries the image (yet another) of an armored and frightened Italy.
Somewhat sad controversies, which however have completely overshadowed a game full, if not very rich, of ideas. Conte's return to Turin will in fact be watered down by the absence of an audience, as will the bitterness of the Juventus people towards Sarri, which literally exploded after the knockout in Lyon. It is therefore the Bianconeri who have the most pressure and not only for the possible overtaking of Lazio: failing also against Inter would trigger a real disaster, with consequences that are difficult to imagine.
However, it must be said that, standings in hand, it is the Nerazzurri who cannot afford missteps, otherwise the dream of the Scudetto, barring sensational twists, will have to be postponed to a later date. In short, Juventus-Inter, although emptied of public and color, if it will be played, it promises to be loaded with content and meaning: Lazio permitting, there is a good portion of the season up for grabs…
