Roma is approaching Europe, today Lazio and Milan will try to do the same. The Giallorossi's success against Chievo, combined with the defeat of Inter, gives the Giallorossi a big boost towards their final objective, namely the conquest of the Champions League zone. The concept also applies to the biancocelesti in the same way, provided however that they conquer Turin (20.45) and send the fifth in the standings to minus 4. The situation regarding Milan is different: in fact, the Rossoneri have not run for some time for the first places but still have the obligation to hit the Europa League, a mission that necessarily passes from a victory today in Bologna (15 pm). So for Di Francesco it will be a Sunday of relative relaxation: Liverpool are upon us, all right, but the race for the next Champions League is going very well. The coach wanted to beat Chievo and then hope that Juve would give him a gift, a perfectly respectable little program.
The 4-1 defeat of Verona, combined with Higuain's goal in the crazy final at San Siro, is worth a +4 in the standings over Inter, a nice advantage just three days from the end which authorizes great optimism. And then the score seen yesterday at the Olimpico could be a good omen: in fact, if Wednesday ends in the same way, Roma would even reach the Champions League final. It is obvious that the two matches are not comparable, also because this one got off to a good start when Schick broke the balance immediately finding the 1-0 (9'). Advantage doubled by Dzeko at the end of the half (40'), saved by a great Alisson (penalty saved by English with the giallorossi in 10 for the expulsion of Juan Jesus), rounded off by a coast to coast by El Shaarawy (65') , armored by the brace of the usual Edin (67 '), fixed, for scores and statistics, by the useless goal of the English flag (88 '). “The match was tricky, I'm happy that the team faced it in an excellent way – Di Francesco's analysis. – Now we have to recover physical and mental energy for Liverpool, we will try and I am convinced that it is a possible comeback”. Lazio too would like to experience such nights soon, but for the moment, however, the Champions League is a dream even if, in case of victory in Turin, it would become really close. Grabbing Roma, but above all distancing Inter by 4 points, would be a very strong signal, which is why today's match is really fundamental.
“Our calendar is complicated but fate is in our hands – commented Inzaghi. – Let's forget the results of others and look only at ourselves, after all it will be only the motivations that will make the final difference”. The coach, without the injured Parolo, will try to beat Toro with the usual 3-5-1-1 with Strakosha in goal, Caceres, De Vrij and Radu in defense, Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Lulic and Lukaku in midfield, Luis Alberto to support the lone striker Immobile. Mazzarri will respond with his 3-4-1-2 with Sirigu between the posts, N'Kolou, Burdisso and Moretti in the back, De Silvestri, Rincon, Baselli and Molinaro in the midfield, Ljajic behind the attacking couple Edera- Belotti. The grenades dream of getting back in the running for the Europa League, that same cup that AC Milan is also chasing and which indeed must hit at all costs. Much, if not everything, passes through Bologna (15 pm), where Gattuso's team is called to win both for the standings and to cancel last week's fool with Benevento. “We have reached rock bottom – explained the Rossoneri coach in no uncertain terms. – That's why I decided to cancel the free days, and if someone doesn't like it, I don't give a damn. I too had planned a holiday in Spain with my wife, instead I tore up the tickets and stayed here to work. We haven't won for 40 days, the talk is zero ”. The usual river full of grit and seriousness and who knows if the team could not be dragged. At Dall'Ara a large slice of Europe is being played, which is why Gattuso, after last week's failed 4-4-2 experiment, will return to the classic 4-3-3 with Donnarumma in goal, Calabria, Bonucci, Zapata and Rodriguez in defense, Kessié, Locatelli and Bonaventura in midfield, Suso, Cutrone and Calhanoglu in attack. 3-5-2 for Donadoni, who will try to trip his former team with Mirante between the posts, Romagnoli, Gonzalez and De Maio in the back, Di Francesco, Poli, Pulgar, Dzemaili and Masina in the midfield, Verdi and Palacio offensive couple.
