The most awaited moment has arrived. Naples and Juventus meet for the first time face to face of the season (at 20.45 pm) with roles reversed: the Azzurri are first in the standings and unbeaten, even third and the black and whites four points behind. The gap is still within the norm, at least until tonight: because even if everyone repeats that we are only in December and that nothing can be decisive, it is clear that this match can shift the balance in terms of the Scudetto.
In short, the points weigh, that's why nobody wants to take on the role of favorite. Not Sarri, who as usual "skipped" the press conference on the eve and not even Allegri, who instead showed up and obviously pulled the grist for him.
“Right now, they are the favorites for the Scudetto – thought the Juventus coach – Of course, we are talking about an important but not decisive step: what matters will be finishing first in the end, not now. We will have to face the match as a great team, so we can prepare ourselves better for the away match in Athens, which is so fundamental…”.
Snobbery is evidently a tactic, as is the subsequent teasing of Sarri: a little pepper, you know, can always come in handy, especially in an environment full of pressure like the blue one.
“I can no longer keep up with Maurizio – continued Allegri – Once he talks about the pitch, another about his turnover, yet another about post-Champions fatigue… His is a strategy to create confusion”.
The rival's answer, perhaps, will only come after the match is over, when the games are over and the standings have taken on a different physiognomy. Both will then have to prepare their respective cup matches, but no one will think about it until at least tomorrow morning. Moreover, Allegri is grappling with various training problems, especially in attack: more than the absences of Lichtsteiner and Howedes (yet another muscle problem) in fact, that of Mandzukic (problems with a calf) weighs heavily, who adds to a Higuain called up but in precarious conditions (he has just had hand surgery).
However, the Juventus coach seems oriented towards confirming the 3-4-2-1 formation already seen with Barcelona and Crotone, therefore Buffon in goal, Benatia, Barzagli and Chiellini in defense, De Sciglio, Khedira, Pjanic and Alex Sandro in midfield, Dybala and Douglas Costa in support of Higuain, alternatively Joya could act as first striker just like in the days of Palermo.
Everything according to plan instead for Sarri, who will be able to count on the whole squad except, obviously, for the long-term patients Milik and Ghoulam. His 4-3-3 will see Reina in goal, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in the back, Allan, Jorginho and Hamsik in the midfield, Callejon, Mertens and Insigne in attack.
However, this strange Friday in the championship will not be limited only to the match at the San Paolo. A few hours earlier (18.30pm) Roma and Spal will inaugurate the 15th day, in a match that will offer important points for both the top and bottom of the standings.
The Giallorossi, fresh from the misstep in Genoa, want to win and then take advantage of the direct clash in Naples, which is why they really can't afford mistakes. Di Francesco knows it well but cannot ignore the imminent Champions League match against Qarabag, which is why he will rotate his men (Nainggolan and Perotti not even called up) in an attempt to get points and fresh legs.
"After the draw against Genoa I told the boys that they can't be wrong anymore - the coach repeated - We can't afford any missteps, otherwise Spal could really hurt us".
For the Giallorossi 4-3-3, with Alisson in goal, Bruno Peres, Manolas, Fazio and Kolarov in defense, Pellegrini, Gonalons and Strootman in midfield, Under (favorite over Schick), Dzeko and El Shaarawy in attack. Semplici, back from the scorching elimination in the Coppa Italia against Cittadella, will attempt the feat relying on a 3-5-2 with Gomis between the posts, Vaisanen, Vicari and Felipe in the back, Lazzari, Schiattarella, Viviani, Grassi and Mattiello in median, Borriello and Paloschi in attack.
