Scudetto match, Asl permitting. In fact, one of the most fascinating matches of the championship should take place at San Siro, provided that the Covid emergency allows it. To the positivity of Alex Sandro was added that of Cuadrado: nothing that hasn't already been seen in other Serie A teams, but enough to induce the president of the Turin ASL, perhaps also in the wake of what happened with Naples (and legitimized by Coni) to sound the alarm. "At this moment we cannot speak of an outbreak - explained Roberto Testi - However, if there were to be new cases and an uncontrolled outbreak in the team were confirmed, then the ASL would be forced to intervene by blocking the away match”. Statement denied, however, by the Councilor for the Covid emergency of the Piedmont Region, who partially brought the case back in the evening: "There is no emergency that justifies an intervention by the Turin ASL, I can assure the fans that the match will will make". Strong words, which led Testi himself to intervene again on the subject, this time with very different tones: “Action should only be taken if there was an outbreak, at the moment we are light years away from a public health problem".
THE TAMPONI CASE
Let's clarify, or at least let's try, saying that this morning Juventus will make a new round of buffers, to then leave for Milan. Should new cases emerge, the ASL would make its assessments, but the game will be played, in line with the protocol respected by (almost) everyone, except for a high number of infected people. It would be a beautiful and delicate challenge, with important effects on the standings, especially for Juventus.
REVERSED PARTS
After years of black and white domination, in fact, the parties have sensationally reversed, with Milan in the lead with 37 points and Juve in fifth place with 27 points. Of course, Pirlo's team still has to make up for the match against Napoli, but it is clear that a defeat at San Siro would make the gap really important, albeit with more than half a championship to play. In short, the match at San Siro seems to be more decisive for the bianconeri, but Milan also have a lot to lose: in fact, Conte's Inter are behind them, ready to take advantage of any misstep to carry out the much-needed overtaking.
PIOLI'S WORDS…
“This is never a challenge like the others and we know it well – he confirmed Pioli – However, the championship is a marathon, we are only on the 15th day and the shots are useless. We meet a strong, growing opponent, full of great players, but I repeat that this is not the game of a lifetime, nor is it a decisive one". However, the Rossoneri coach added that he would not sign for a draw, demonstrating a rediscovered big-name spirit that was almost unthinkable until a few months ago. In this overturned world, Juventus has also ended up in the middle, in turn going from being the absolute ruler of the championship to being a pursuer.
…AND THOSE OF PIRLO
So far Pirlo he has enjoyed a certain immunity from critics, but he too is well aware that he has reached a crossroads: either he wins and gets back on track, or he risks going down in history as the first Juventus coach not to win the Scudetto after 9 years of triumphs. "It's an important match, not a inside or outside match - replied Andrea - We're working to make up for it, there's no doubt about that, but we have to think match by match and improve performance and standings: in April we'll see where we'll get" .
THE ABSENCES
To make the predictions even more complicated we put ourselves the absences, for Covid and various injuries. Juventus, within two days, lost first Alex Sandro and then Cuadrado, both positive, which are added to Morata, stopped in the pits for a muscle strain. Milan, on the other hand, finds Hernandez again, but must once again do without Ibrahimovic, Bennacer e Saelemaekers, as well as the disqualified Tonali. In short, Pioli and Pirlo have some big headaches, but this won't stop them from playing it openly until the end.
THE TRAININGS
The Rossoneri will rely on the usual 4-2-3-1 with Donnarumma in goal, Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli and Hernandez in defense, Krunic and Kessié in midfield, Castillejo, Calhanoglu and Rebic on the trocar, Leao in attack. Classic 3-4-1-2 also for Pirlo, who will respond with Szczesny between the posts, Demiral, De Ligt and Bonucci in the back, Danilo, Rabiot, Bentancur and Chiesa in the midfield, Ramsey in support of the offensive duo formed by Ronaldo and Dybala, the latter recovered after a slight fever Monday.
THE MARKET
The spotlights will all be on the field, but also keep an eye on the grandstand, with the managers of Milan and Juve very busy on the market front. Maldini is getting closer and closer to Simakan, defender of Strasbourg (15 million plus 3 bonuses for the offer, 18 plus 2 for requests), while Paratici wants to give Pirlo a striker: in the notebook, in addition to the usual Llorente, Giroud and Pellé, Quagliarella has appeared, who could return to wearing black and white to play the fourth striker. The Gomez situation should also be monitored, given that Juve and Atalanta are talking about it, perhaps including Bernardeschi in the deal: a difficult operation (the engagement is beyond the reach of the Goddess), but not impossible.
