Milan sinks and can only hope. Inter-Juventus e Lazio-Rome, in fact, they could allow the Devil to score points on someone, while now, at best, the damage can only be limited. Conversely, if Roma were to win, the Rossoneri would find themselves in fifth place, while there are few positive combinations from San Siro: a success from Inter would distance them significantly, one from Juve would bring Allegri to minus 7, in waiting for the appeal to Coni which could give her back the 15 points removed in January. If there was still a need for further ideas from the two derbies in question, Milan took care of it, transforming the Sunday we are about to experience into a very delicate day in a Champions League key, perhaps even decisive.
Udinese - Milan 3-1, Pioli bitter: "They didn't understand the importance of the match, it means I worked badly"
Disastrous evening for the Rossoneri, along the lines of what happened in Florence two weeks ago. But if at the time the team had Tottenham's justification at their doorstep, the same cannot be said of yesterday, when they had five full days to prepare for the match. Inter-Juventus and Lazio-Roma also provided indifferent stimuli, while now they become above all a source of fear: that of not entering the top four, a hypothesis that Milan do not seem to realize and which is instead decidedly real. The Diavolo, on their fourth defeat in their last five away games and back from just one point between Fiorentina and Salernitana, should have torn the field apart from the start, but instead it was Udinese who did it, finding the well-deserved advantage already in the 9th minute with Pereyra after an error on the Bennacer-Tomori axis.
The Rossoneri continued to suffer at least until the half hour, then they partially woke up and equalized with Ibrahimovic, scored from a penalty (initially missed, then repeated for Beto's entry into the box) on his first start after 419 days: with this goal Zlatan becomes the oldest goalscorer in Serie A (41 years, 5 months and 15 days) , overcoming Costacurta (scoring, ironically, right from the penalty spot against the Friulians). It seemed it could be the episode that turned the light back on, instead the Devil went into blackout after a few seconds, managing to suffer the 2-1 from Beto before the break. In the second half Pioli tried to overturn the inertia with changes, but the team didn't react and even ended up collecting the final 3-1 by Ehizibue (70'), making up for a defeat that could cost the economy very dearly for the season.
"We are in trouble in the league, but reaching the first 4 places is too important for us – the bitter comment of Pioli -. We're not playing at our level and if we lower it we risk performing like this, I'm disappointed, it means I worked badly during the week. There were no signs of a drop in tension and attention, it is evident that I will have to do better to keep the players more concentrated".
Inter – Juventus (20.45 pm, DAZN)
After the appetizer on Saturday it's time to enjoy the main courses, starting with that of San Siro, where the Derby d'Italia number 247 in history, 207 in the league. It will be a'Inter-Juventus decidedly atypical, there is no doubt about this: the penalty transforms it into a challenge between the second and seventh in the standings, but if on April 19, the day on which the Coni Guarantee College will meet for the appeal, the 15 points were to be returned, the scenarios would change completely.
In short, it is not clear whether that of San Siro can be considered a direct confrontation for the Champions League or not, but when in doubt it's better to win it, or at least not lose it. Both arrive with high morale due to the very recent European results, but the championship is something else and requires a clear head and a warm heart, even more so before a stop for the national teams which would multiply the heaviness of a possible knockout.
Inzaghi: "Proud of qualifying for the Champions League, but now we're headed for the championship"
“Qualification is a source of pride – underlined Inzaghi in the conference -, this will be the last match of an intense period, there is tiredness, as well as injuries. Head to Juventus, it's important for the championship because after the restart there will be 16 games, maybe a few more, and I'll need everyone hoping to have more and more choices from time to time. We consider Juve a great team, is complete and made up of many strong players. We respect her, we have met her in many finals and we will find her again in the Cup, mental preparation will be very important. The penalty? I'm looking at today's standings, there are legal proceedings in progress, then we'll see. I congratulate Juve for theirs qualification in the Europa League, then we will see what will happen because we need clarity ”.
Allegri: "Important match, we want to defend second place"
“We have to aim for the best we can do, now we have the match against Inter and playing direct matches is always difficult. We are behind in the standings and it is difficult to catch up, it will be an important match, right now the team has scored 53 points on the field and we have to think about this, then when the ruling of April 19 arrives we'll see. We have to face all the races step by step. I repeat, we have 53 points without disqualification, we are ahead of Inter and Milan and we have to defend second place. What will happen off the pitch doesn't concern us and we don't have to evaluate it. If at the end of the year, net of sanctions, the team is out of the Champions League, then it will mean that it hasn't been a good season."
Inter – Juventus, the formations: Inzaghi without Skriniar and Bastoni, Allegri thinks about the Soulé move
In short, a tough game to play with the best possible formations, net of injuries. Inzaghi will be forced to renounce Skriniar, Staves and Gosens, therefore he will have to invent a defense: his 3-5-2 will thus see Onana in goal, Darmian, De Vrij and Acerbi in defense, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan and Dimarco in midfield, Lukaku (favorite over Dzeko) and Lautaro in attack . Scattered problems also for Allegri, who in addition to the usual Pogba will have to do without Alex Sandro and Bonucci, as well as the disqualified Kean. The technician can instead count on Of Mary and the Church, but in yesterday's finishing the young Soulé tried together with Vlahovic: if it was mere pre-tactical we'll know soon, but the temptation is there and it could become reality. The Juventus 3-5-1-1 should see Szczesny between the posts, Gatti, Bremer and Danilo in the back, De Sciglio, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot and Kostic in the midfield, Soulé (or Di Maria) supporting Vlahovic.
Lazio – Rome (18pm, DAZN)
The other big match on Sunday is that of the Olimpico, with Lazio and Rome ready to challenge each other for city supremacy, but above all for a place in the next Champions League. The Biancocelesti arrive there with two points more in the standings, so they could also play for a draw, but Thursday's results smile at the Giallorossi, who qualified for the quarter-finals of the Europa League, while Sarri had to say goodbye to the Conference. Derby even hotter than usual, in short, and it doesn't matter that the coaches have decided to remain silent on the eve: those post-cups, in fact, are enough and continue to set fire to the environment, with the decidedly pungent Special One against the "cousins" just eliminated.
In the first leg Lazio won with a goal by Felipe Anderson after a blunder by Ibanez, Roma played better overall, moreover both are recovering from the European struggles of a few hours ago, moreover away from home: in short, it is difficult to say who is better off, even if injuries and suspensions would seem smile at Rome.
Lazio – Rome, the formations: Sarri without Immobile and Vecino, Mou finds the titular trident again
Indeed, Sarri will not have Immobile and Vecino, while Mourinho will be able to count on the entire squad available, with the exception of Karsdorp and the suspended Kumbulla. The Lazio 4-3-3 Thus he will see Provedel in goal, Hysaj, Casale, Romagnoli and Marusic in defence, Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi and Luis Alberto in midfield, Pedro, Felipe Anderson and Zaccagni in attack. Usual 3-4-2-1 also for Mourinho, who will respond with Rui Patricio in goal, Mancini, Smalling and Ibanez in the back, Zalewski, Matic, Cristante and El Shaarawy in the midfield, Dybala and Pellegrini behind the lone striker Abraham.
Turin – Naples (15 pm, DAZN)
And then there is leaders Naples, whose exorbitant lead isn't even news anymore. The trip of Torino but it's not easy, partly due to the value of the grenades and their ability to create problems for the big names, and much due to a possible physical and mental tiredness which would be physiological, if we weren't talking about a real army. The Azzurri haven't played for months with the anxiety of scoring points, yet it almost seems that every game is the decisive one, in the league and in the Champions League: winning mentality, which in fact is leading to the Scudetto after 33 years of waiting, as well as European results never achieved before. Spalletti will have to repeat himself again today, because the idea is that of close the tricolor games as soon as possible, to then have the opportunity to focus only on the double cup challenge with Milan, considered by many (but not by the coach) as a gift of good luck.
Spalletti: "Eyes on Turin, I'm willing to do anything for Napoli"
“Turin deserves respect, it will be a very difficult game – warned Spalletti -. They always play the same game, they are a very complicated opponent because they are suffocating in everything they do. Even in possession they want to keep a very high level of effort, they are trained for this, for them it is fun not to let you play cleanly, they are doing a great championship and there is always great esteem for Juric, even if I have sometimes discussed it. Every moment can be different and it's better not to make calculations, we prepare one game at a time, then we'll do the math in the end. The passing of time always creates the same problem for me, doing something that gives me satisfaction, e I'm willing to do anything for Napoli now".
Turin - Naples, the formations: Spalletti changes two, Juric without Miranchuk and Karamoh
Compared to Wednesday there should be two lineup changes, with Olivera and Lozano candidates to take the posts of Mario Rui and Politano. In any case, it will not be possible to speak of turnover, because Spalletti's logic, moreover, does not foresee it: the team that wins does not change and his team does so quite often. It will be at the Olimpico 4-3-3 with Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim and Olivera in defence, Anguissa, Lobotka and Zielinski in midfield, Lozano, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in attack. Heavy absences especially in attack for Juric, who won't be able to count on either Miranchuk or Karamoh, both out until after the break. The 3-4-2-1 from Taurus thus he will see Milinkovic-Savic between the posts, Gravillon, Schuurs and Buongiorno in the back department, Singo, Ricci, Ilic and Rodriguez in the midfield, Vlasic and Radonjic behind the lone striker Sanabria.
