And now have fun! After weeks (!) of controversy, the big day of Milan – Juventus has arrived. uA match that will most likely not be decisive (there will still be 13 days left, even 14 for Juve), but indicative of the Scudetto fight yes. Apart from the draw (the only result that would leave everything as it is), a victory for one of the two teams would have an important impact on the standings, but above all on morale. In this sense Juve are better off, which this season have already beaten their rivals twice, once in the league and once in the Coppa Italia. Another success, while not deciding anything, would give the Bianconeri the "moral" title and risk deeply touching the Rossoneri's ego.
However, Milan are doing well, as demonstrated by the last Champions League and championship matches, and for the first time this season, they are on an equal footing with Juve also as regards the anger factor. The Ibrahimovic case in fact infuriated Via Turati, who took the decision of the Federal Justice almost as an affront. In the press conference on the eve, Allegri he preferred to avoid further controversy, but the fire had now been started: “I worked like every week with those I had available, knowing that until Thursday I could have or not have Ibra. Now there is and does not play. I took it well because we can't do anything, we have to accept the decision serenely".
Yes, but then why talk about a "serious legal error" on the official website? No further controversies have come from Vinovo either, but certainly the comment of Tale makes you smile: "It doesn't change anything whether Ibrahimovic is there or not, that's beyond doubt. And if one wants to go and do the fleas, he sees that, statistically, Milan have done better without him many times. And the numbers speak for themselves”. All true, but are we sure that he would have said the same things even if the appeal had been accepted?
HERE MILAN
Without Ibrahimovic, Milan will have to change their way of playing, which could also be an advantage. The Swede tends to catalyze the maneuver and if he finds the marking "tough" (like Chiellini) he risks making the Rossoneri game predictable. With Pato and Robinho instead, Milan lose a lot from a physical point of view, but gain in speed. So pay attention to the restarts, which could surprise Juve, even if Kevin Prince Boateng will be very much missed. The Ghanaian would have guaranteed tears and physicality, as well as a not indifferent quality, therefore Emanuelson's game will be fundamental, who will not have to make his partner regret. According to Allegri (and not only…), matches are won in midfield, which is why Nocerino, Van Bommel and Muntari will have to do well in both the offensive and defensive phases. Back there then, after the recovery of Nesta (favorite over Mexes), there is only one doubt, which concerns the role of left-back: Antonini or Mesbah? A "train" like Lichtsteiner will act on that side, which is why Allegri is carefully evaluating what to do. In a challenge like this, nothing should be left to chance.
HERE JUVENTUS
Antonio Conte has a big advantage: he has already beaten Milan twice. It's clear that each game makes its own story, but psychology is also very important in sport. Federer is no longer able to beat Nadal, who in turn suffers tremendously from Djokovic, Real Madrid dominates La Liga but when they meet Barcelona they are in pain. Mind you, it's still too early to talk about the "Juve syndrome", but there is a small advantage. Conte knows that, technically speaking, Milan are superior even without Ibrahimovic, which is why he will focus a lot on pace. This is how Juve beat the Rossoneri twice, so why change? More or less the same goes for the game system: the 3-5-2 works and has already been lethal for Milan once. Antonio Conte's great doubt concerns the attack. Vucinic-Matri and Quagliarella-Borriello are the two options that robbed the Juventus coach of sleep. The ballots are very tight, even if Vucinic-Matri remain slightly favourites. For the rest, a typical formation, with Pirlo being observed in a special way. His duel in the middle of the field with Van Bommel goes far beyond today's match.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Milan (4-3-1-2): Have you; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Nocerino, Van Bommel, Muntari; Emmanuelson; Robinho, Pato.
Trainer: Massimiliano Allegri.
On the bench: Amelia, Bonera, Mexes, Mesbah, Ambrosini, El Shaarawy, Inzaghi.
Unavailable: Cassano, Aquilani, Gattuso, Flamini, Merkel, Strasser, Seedorf, Boateng, Maxi Lopez.
Disqualified: Ibrahimovic.
Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Pepe; Matri, Vucinic.
Trainer: Antonio Conte.
On the bench: Storari, Caceres, Estigarribia, Giaccarini, Quagliarella, Del Piero, Borriello.
Unavailable: Brown.
Disqualified: nobody.
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (Terni).
Assistants: Di Liberatore-Romagnoli.
Fourth official: Rizzoli
