Time to grow up. Naples and Rome are preparing for Wednesday's championship with the awareness that, in the event of victories, their respective rankings would suffer a not indifferent upward jolt. Conversely, however, we would find ourselves wondering about their real ambitions, especially since today's opponents certainly do not appear insurmountable. This is especially true for Napoli, who are playing against Cagliari at the San Paolo (21 pm), but even Roma will certainly not be facing the best Atalanta (19).
The possibility of continuing the string of successes is there, provided you face today's races with humility and concentration. In this sense, Ancelotti's team seems to have found the right path and this regardless of the men chosen. In the last three matches, the blue coach has used all the arrows at his disposal and the results evidently have not been affected, on the contrary: his Napoli scored 8 goals conceding only one, moreover from a penalty.
That's why the turnover strategy will continue today too, with as many as six changes compared to the victory in Lecce. In a strangely still half-empty San Paolo we will see a 4-4-2 with Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Maksimovic, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defense, Callejon, Allan, Elmas and Zielinski in midfield, Milik and Mertens in attack. Only bench for the "King Midas" of the moment Llorente, even if his entry into the match in progress, especially if things don't go well, is practically obvious.
Maran, refreshed by the wins against Parma and Genoa, will respond with a 4-3-1-2 formation that will see Olsen between the posts, Cacciatore, Pisacane, Ceppitelli and Pellegrini in the back, Nandez, Oliva and Rog in the midfield, Castro behind of the offensive duo made up of Joao Pedro and Simeone.
Eyes also on Roma, looking for the third consecutive victory (the fourth considering the Europa League) against Atalanta. The Olimpico test is an important one, because if it is true that two clues make a test (and excellent ones have arrived with Sassuolo and Bologna), it is also true that the third would give the certainty of a team rediscovered and ready to fight for the top .
“It's too early to be euphoric, there's still so much to do, to win and to conquer – glossed over Fonseca. – A very difficult, hard-fought match awaits us against an aggressive opponent in defense and qualitative up front. I'll have to make some line-up changes but Dzeko and Kolarov will play, I can't let them rest right now."
Indeed the two, symbols of the Giallorossi rebirth, are essential and that is why the Portuguese coach, whose approval rating is always higher, will confirm them from the first minute. The big news of the Giallorossi 4-2-3-1 will be Smalling, ready to make his debut after the mini-injury that kept him in the pits for 15 days. For the rest Pau Lopez in goal, Spinazzola, Fazio and Kolarov in defense, Cristante and Veretout in midfield, Zaniolo, Pellegrini and Mkhitaryan on the trocar, Dzeko in attack.
Classic 3-4-2-1 also for Gasperini, who will attempt the coup with Gollini between the posts, Palomino, Toloi and Masiello in the back department, Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler and Castagne in the midfield, Gomez and Ilicic behind the only Zapata tip.
