Win to escape. Milan, Naples and Rome are looking for confirmations, therefore points, after the good starts a week ago, with the knowledge that, in this more balanced championship than ever, every piece can make the difference between achieving the objectives and failing disastrously. The clearest demonstration came from Juventus, defeated by Empoli and at 1 point after two games, but also from the draw by Atalanta, stopped at home by Bologna. Pioli's Rossoneri, after the victory over Sampdoria, receive Cagliari at San Siro (20.45 pm), the Azzurri and Giallorossi instead will have to visit Genoa (18.30 pm) and Salernitana (20.45 pm), in two away games that promise to be full of pitfalls. In short, it is logical that Milan have the easiest match on paper, especially as they can count on 30 fans (some even assume they will be sold out) full of enthusiasm. But be careful not to underestimate Cagliari, who were already able to snatch a very heavy point in the last championship, which made the Rossoneri tremble in the Champions League.
“Compared to then we have grown in awareness, we have our qualities and way of playing well in mind – Pioli retorted -. The important thing is to take the field with clear ideas and not let yourself be influenced by the difficulties that will always exist. It won't be easy to overcome Cagliari, we will have to play with intensity and quality throughout the match." While waiting for the market to complete the job (last night Bakayoko also arrived, now only the attacking midfielder is missing), Milan want to concentrate only on the pitch and on Semplici's Sardinians, also to cancel that annoying (and in some ways inexplicable, given played behind closed doors) San Siro taboo that emerged last season. Pioli, just like in Genoa, he has to do without Ibrahimovic and Kessié (both should return after the break), so he will confirm Marassi's 4-2-3-1 with Maignan in goal, Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori and Hernandez in defense, Bennacer and Tonali in midfield, Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz and Leao behind of the single tip Giroud.
Semplici will try to stop the Devil again with a 3-5-2 formation that will see Radunovic in goal, Ceppitelli, Godin and Carboni in the back, Nandez, Marin, Strootman, Deiola and Dalbert in the midfield, Joao Pedro and Pavoletti in attack. First away of the season instead for Spalletti's Napoli, who will visit Ballardini's Genoa. On paper, considering what we saw a week ago, there would seem to be no match, especially as the Rossoblu reinforcements (Lammers, Maksimovic, probably Nzola and Caicedo) will only be available after the break, but the blue coach, like an old wolf on the bench, will not trusts. “It's better not to rely on Genoa seen at San Siro, in their house there's a different environment, we'll have to be ready for something different – he explained at the press conference-. I expect that what we worked on during the week will be followed up, against Venice we were good at maintaining lucidity, showing everyone that we have a strong mind".
The psychological aspect continues to be Spalletti's key issue, aware that, even without help from the transfer market, this is a technically strong group, which however often lacks the mental structure. The big bet, therefore, is to find that too, to aim for the top of the table and at least return to the next Champions League. This evening Osimhen and Zielinski will be missing, therefore the blue 4-3-3 will be different than usual with Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defense, Fabian Ruiz, Lobotka and Elmas in midfield, Politano, Insigne and Lozano in the offensive trident. Ballardini knows it will be difficult to stop Napoli, but he has a duty to present a decidedly more competitive Genoa than the one seen at San Siro: he will try with a 3-5-2 that will see Sirigu between the posts, Biraschi, Vanheusden and Criscito in the back, Sabelli, Sturaro, Badelj, Hernani and Cambiaso in the midfield, Ekuban and Kallon in attack.
Also Mourinho's Roma don't want to slow down, aware that Salerno's away game could be an opportunity to cement the certainties found so far, in a mini-cycle made up of three matches and as many victories. However, Salernitana is not an easy customer, as Bologna understood a week ago (victorious only in comeback), moreover they will debut in an almost sold out Arechi, Covid regulations permitting. "It could be a different game than the others, Castori has experience and is capable of surprising us by changing his way of playing," Mou warned. They are good, they defend well, we will have to find various offensive solutions. Does Ronaldo's farewell change anything in the Scudetto race? Ask Inzaghi…”. Not even the savvy Roman press, at least for now, can unbalance the Special One, determined to keep a low profile despite the excellent start to the season. Only victories, eventually, will change the trend, which is why Roma don't want to stop, starting from tonight.
The Giallorossi will have to do without the suspended Zaniolo, Smalling and the long-term patient Spinazzola, for a 4-2-3-1 that will thus see Rui Patricio in goal, Karsdorp, Mancini, Ibanez and Vina in defense, Veretout and Cristante in midfield, Carles Perez, Pellegrini and Mkhitaryan in the frontline, Shomurodov (favorite over Abraham) in attack. Defensive 3-5-1-1 instead for Castori, who will respond with Belec between the posts, Bogdan, Gyomber and Jaroszynski in the back, Kechrida, Coulibaly, Di Tacchio, Capezzi and Ruggeri in the midfield, Obi behind the lone striker Bonazzoli .
