The mystery thickens. Lazio-Juventus (12.30) will be played without Immobile, Lucas Leiva and Strakosha, whose positivity to Covid has been confirmed by the Biomedical Campus in Rome, as well as by Synlab, a laboratory chosen by UEFA. The biancocelesti therefore surrender, despite the outcome of the Futura Diagnostica of Avellino, Lotito's trusted centre, having been opposed: better stop the three in question and not make things too much worse, because the damage, in the event of an ascertained violation of the protocol, would have already been done in Turin, when the three were duly called up (Immobile even scored a goal).
At any rate the climate around Lazio has become hot, as demonstrated by the investigation opened by the FIGC prosecutor's office, the consequences of which could range from a simple fine to a penalty in the standings, up to relegation. “The president is strict in following the rules – Inzaghi's defense at the press conference -. We are respecting the protocol to the letter, the rumors that come from outside are unfounded and gratuitous, they give us even more energy to do well". We'll see what happens, but the story has certainly completely overshadowed a very interesting match, capable of giving us 90' of great entertainment.
It is clear that the absences in question give Juventus even more credit, determined to take the 3 points to make a change in their season, up to now fluctuating both in terms of play and results. “It will certainly be a good match, difficult and exciting because we are facing a great team that has shown in recent years that they are always at a high level – thought Pirlo -. We are improving on the level of the game, on the development of the construction with the midfielders and with the attacking midfielders. These are the most positive indications from the last two games, we need to improve but we are on the right track".
The Juventus coach is well aware that he has a great chance, but also that he cannot waste it, on pain of spending a break in the midst of controversy. The last victories with Spezia and Ferencvaros have been good for morale, but now we need a prestigious one, the first of the season, otherwise it would have been all in vain. To obtain it Pirlo, forced once again to do without Chiellini (yet another muscle problem), has decided to confirm last Sunday's 3-5-2, with the only novelty Kulusevski replacing Chiesa, therefore Szczesny in goal, Demiral, Bonucci and Danilo in defense, Cuadrado, Rabiot, Bentancur, McKennie and, indeed, Kulusevski in midfield, Morata and Ronaldo in attack. Obligatory choices once again for Inzaghi, forced to do without the aforementioned Immobile, Leiva and Strakosha, but also Lulic, Radu, Lazzari, Anderson and Escalante.
His 3-5-2 will thus see Reina in goal, Patric, Hoedt and Acerbi in the back, Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Parolo, Luis Alberto and Fares in the midfield, Caicedo and Correa as an offensive couple. The other big appointment of the day is the one between Atalanta and Inter, a real face-to-face between the big disappointments of this round of the Champions League (15 pm). In fact, both come from a defeat, but if that of the Bergamo players, although clearer, was nevertheless accepted by the critics (in front, after all, there was Klopp's Liverpool), the same cannot be said of Inter and its coach, who ended up under process for the umpteenth time.
Conte's problem is that things aren't going particularly well in the league either, where he has collected only three victories in six days: not the best for those who, in the summer, were considered the big favorites together with Juve and who today, instead, occupy only sixth place. “We're close to making the leap in quality, but until we manage to make it, it means we're not there – the Nerazzurri coach analyzed -. We are certainly tired, we have to manage our energies, but the mood is what it should be. We know we will have to play a great game, facing Atalanta is always very difficult”. We will need a very different Inter from the last ones, starting with the defensive phase, so far the team's real Achilles heel.
The 15 goals conceded in 9 matches jeopardized several results and it is clear that in Bergamo, despite an opponent less in form than before, it will above all be necessary to lock down the goal. For his part, Gasperini, for whom Inter is not and will never be a rival like the others, he hopes to see Atalanta from the first matches again, capable of combining the usual mix of racing and quality. In recent weeks however, beyond the defeat against Liverpool, he seems to have lost a bit of edge, as demonstrated above all by the defeats against Napoli and Sampdoria. “It's a situation to check, we're conceding too many goals and perhaps we need more protection – confirmed the Dea coach -. Having said that, we occupy a good position in the standings and in the Champions League, even if we lost badly, we are still in the running, so we don't need any upheavals, just a few tricks."
The challenge between the two coaches is certainly captivating and will begin when choosing a formation, net of absences and doubtful players. Conte is grappling with a still achy Lukaku, therefore, barring sensational twists, he will take him to the bench at most, to put him on only in case of extreme need. For the rest, the Inter 3-4-1-2 will see Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defense, Hakimi, Vidal, Brozovic and Young in midfield, Barella in the frontline, Sanchez and Lautaro Martinez in attack. Mirror game system also for Gasperini, in turn without De Roon, Gosens and Palomino: the coach will respond with Sportiello between the posts, Toloi, Romero and Djimsiti in the back department, Hateboer, Pessina, Freuler and Ruggeri in the midfield, Malinovskyi and Gomez behind lone striker Zapata.
