Cagliari-Milan, Naples-Udinese, Inter-Fiorentina: a Saturday dedicated to Scudetto. In fact, today's program, after the two advances yesterday (Sassuolo-Spezia 4-1, Genoa-Turin 1-0), is all focused on the race for the top, with the first three of the class to challenge each other in the space of a few hours . On paper, the most difficult match is that of the Nerazzurri, who will have to contend with the insidious Viola of Italiano, but even the trip to Sardinia always has its drawbacks, without forgetting that the Friulians have already been able to stop Juve, Lazio, Milan and Rome. In short, woe to taking anything for granted, especially in a tournament that is offering surprises almost every weekend.
Cagliari-Milan (20 pm, Dazn and Sky Sport) Pioli: "The Scudetto fight is still very open"
Let's start with the leaders, who became leaders after Inter's draw in Turin. The 1-1 draw at the Olimpico meant that Milan no longer had to depend on anyone, even if the road is still very long and the pitfalls numerous. One of these is Cagliari, determined to return to scoring points after the two defeats against Lazio and Spezia, which again complicated salvation. Furthermore, the Devil has always had problems with small and medium-sized teams, as we also saw on Saturday against Empoli: the 1-0 final, in fact, was obtained with the usual dose of suffering. “It is a moment in which all the teams have great motivations, we will need to prepare in the best possible way, quality and intensity will be needed – confirmed Pioli in the press conference -. They are still missing 9 games, we are virtually 1 point ahead of Inter, 3 over Napoli and 7 over Juventus, perhaps only Atalanta have lost a few steps too many, but the games are open for everyone. However, we must not put the cart before the horse, but just think about the next race”. In short, he heads to Cagliari, to confirm the primacy and spend a break in front of everyone, thus planning the final rush in the best possible way.
Cagliari-Milan, the formations: Ibra and Giroud are there, Tonali on the bench
The positive news for Pioli is that he will have both of his forwards available, this time in good physical condition. Giroud had a fever, while Ibra worked well, although he has just returned from a long injury, which is why the ballot is open with a slight preference for the French. On the other hand, Tonali (recovering from a few days of fever) and Diaz (bruise) are not well, which is why they will only go to the bench, ready to take over only if necessary. The Rossoneri 4-2-3-1 will thus see Maignan in goal, Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli and Hernandez in defense, Bennacer and Kessié in midfield, Messias, Krunic and Leao in the frontline, Giroud in attack. Usual 3-4-2-1 also for Mazzarri, who will respond with Cragno in goal, Goldaniga, Lovato and Altare in the back, Bellanova, Deiola, Grassi and Dalbert in the midfield, Marin and Joao Pedro (freshly called up for the Azzurro) behind the lone striker Pavoletti.
Inter-Fiorentina (18:00, Dazn) Inzaghi: "We collected less than we deserved"
The most captivating match, as mentioned at the beginning, is that of San Siro, where the Nerazzurri will be looking for a fundamental victory against Fiorentina. In fact, beyond the arbitration controversies, the equal from Turin reiterated that Inter are no longer what they used to be: the only success achieved with Salernitana in the last 6 games, against 3 draws (Naples, Genoa and, precisely, Turin) and 2 defeats (Milan and Sassuolo), explains it better than many words. Inzaghi's problem is first of all goals, given that the strikers, with the exception of the binge against the Campania players, are no longer able to find the goal regularly. A big problem, to be solved at all costs, otherwise the consequences of braking could be worse than Milan's overtaking. “Without a doubt in this period there is the feeling of having collected less than what he deserved, but there is the right desire – explained Inzaghi -. The lads have worked very well these days, there's a great desire to get back on the pitch and we'll have to do it with great intelligence and lucidity. We find a healthy team that is doing a good championship, with a coach who has excellent ideas and gives a precise imprint to his teams, but we will be ready”.
Inzaghi's number one problem is Brozovic, once again forced into the pits by a calf problem. His absence, as seen with Turin and Sassuolo, is very heavy, because he forces the team to play without a real director. Many have argued that the 3-5-2 is not an unquestionable dogma and that perhaps, having no credible alternatives, it would be appropriate to put it aside until the return of the Croatian, but Inzaghi, as we know, does not have the best quality in flexibility he. Even today, therefore, the game system will be the same with Handanovic in goal, D'Ambrosio, Skriniar and Bastoni in defense, Dumfries, Barella, Vidal, Calhanoglu and Perisic in midfield, Dzeko and Lautaro in attack. Classic 4-3-3 also for the Fiorentina di Italiano, who will respond with Terracciano between the posts, Odriozola, Milenkovic, Igor and Biraghi in the back department, Castrovilli, Torreira and Duncan in the midfield, Nico Gonzalez, Piatek and Sottil in the offensive trident.
Napoli-Udinese (15 pm, Dazn) Spalletti: “Scudetto? We are 00 with a 4% chance…”
However, Spalletti's Napoli will open on Saturday, having come together after the good victory in Verona, which brought him back to second place, albeit with one game more than Inter. Beating Udinese would mean staying in the full Scudetto race, especially since after the break there will be three very delicate challenges with Atalanta, Fiorentina and Roma: a false step today, for obvious reasons, would therefore be very heavy. "There are many pitfalls, their counterattacks are a pitfall if you don't have balance, as is their strength on dead balls because they have physicality, they also have great flair in 3-4 level players, who can make an important transfer market - the analysis by Spalletti -. We'll have to have balance, manage the match and be clear on what we're playing for in these 9 games left to go between now and the end. Scudetto percentages? There are four teams with a 25% chance of success, but the standings count and whoever is ahead has more chances, as well as whoever still has to recover a match…”.
Napoli-Udinese, the formations: Zielinski and Insigne are new owners
Bentegodi's tactical breakthrough worked well, but today Spalletti will go back to the old ways and therefore to the 4-2-3-1. The move will benefit Insigne and Zielinski, excluded excellent in Verona and ready to take back a starting shirt, with the awareness of not being able to waste the chance granted. The Azzurri should thus take the field with Ospina in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defense, Anguissa and Lobotka in midfield, Politano, Zielinski and Insigne in the trocar, Osimhen in attack. No doubts for Cioffi either, who will line up the usual 3-5-2 with Silvestri in goal, Becao, Pablo Marì and Zeegelaar in defense, Molina, Pereyra, Walace, Arslan and Udogie in midfield, Deulofeu and Beto as an offensive couple.
