An evening with an ancient flavor. Nostalgics will turn up their noses both because we don't play on Sundays and because of the evening schedule, but undoubtedly this Saturday with a view of Europe promises to give emotions on all fronts. Three fields connected at the same time (20.45), strictly connected smartphones (the radios have not been used for a while) and respective fans ready to explode with joy or sadness, depending on how it ends. Milan-Roma, Naples-Frosinone and Sassuolo-Inter will be one thing, albeit with different objectives: the Azzurri and Giallorossi are in fact competing for second place valid for direct access to the Champions League, the Rossoneri and Neroverdi sixth for the very last place in Europe, with the Nerazzurri disinterested spectators and, at the same time, amused by being supported, for once, by their cousins. But in this race not everyone starts on equal footing, on the other hand the classification is built day by day and so far the hierarchies have appeared quite clear. Only a sensational debacle could take away the silver medal from Napoli, +2 ahead of Roma and awaited by a far from prohibitive match against already relegated Frosinone. “I'm worried, the climate isn't the right one – warned Sarri. – The match is not obvious, last Sunday Ajax and Atletico Madrid lost the title in scenarios similar to this one. We have to stay focused and play with our heads." Superstition is all there, but it is clear that Napoli are largely favored. Sarri will then have the typical line-up available (except for the disqualified Albiol), including that Higuain looking for a brace that would allow him to equal Nordahl's record. “Mathematics still doesn't condemn us, we have a duty to try – sighed Spalletti from Trigoria. – A possible Champions League preliminary would change the prospects but it would give us the advantage of starting off strong right away, working hard without shackles".
The coach is well aware that there is little hope, and he must also give up Perotti and therefore return to the classic 4-3-3 with Dzeko as the starter. In front there will be an even more desperate Milan: in fact, the Rossoneri, if they want to grab the Europa League without waiting for the Italian Cup final, they must win and hope that Inter will stop Sassuolo. “It's a very important match, it will also give me the thermometer in view of Juventus – confirmed Brocchi. – I live in the present and I hear the market rumors, I know that various coaches are sponsored around. Sacchi, for example, talks about Giampaolo but I'd like him to get to know me better too, if I'm lucky enough to stay again next year I'm sure I'll express my ideas to the fullest”. It's difficult to make predictions, but certainly two victories against Roma and Juve would help a lot. The general rehearsals in view of the Italian Cup foresee the usual 4-3-1-2 with Honda attacking midfielder behind the attacking couple Balotelli-Bacca. However, a lot will depend on Sassuolo-Inter, another key match of this Saturday in European colors. At the Nerazzurri, however, more than Di Francesco's team, we are thinking about the future, which is also rather nebulous here. “If everyone is happy to have me, I'll stay, otherwise I'm ready to tear up the contract – thundered Mancini from Appiano Gentile. – I have to talk to Thohir and understand what we can do, we need clarity both in the objectives and in the ways to achieve them". Difficult that so much charge can be transferred to the field, if only considering the many absences of the Nerazzurri. The injured Icardi, Medel and Miranda and the suspended Handanovic and Perisic will not be at the Mapei Stadium, so we will see a very experimental Inter with Gnoukouri in midfield and the Jovetic-Palacio-Eder trident in attack. Even Sassuolo, one step away from the first European qualification in its history, however, will have to deal with an important absence, namely the suspended Berardi. In his place Di Francesco will line up Politano, in a trident that will be completed by Defrel and Sansone.
