A return not to be underestimated. Naples and Milan restart after the break with two insidious commitments, the ones to be taken with a grain of salt. In fact, Atalanta and Cagliari's home away games have all the air of a trap, yet both cannot afford missteps, even if the goals in the standings are totally different. The Azzurri are at stake for remaining in command, furthermore Gasperini's players from Bergamo have always been indigestible: they were in 2017 (from that 1-0 the great European ride of the Goddess started) and also in this beginning of 2018, which saw San Paolo conquered in the quarterfinals of the Italian Cup. In short, this is a very complicated match for Napoli and it is easy to imagine that Juve, one point behind in the standings and expected from Monday night against Genoa, have many hopes of overtaking in it. On the other hand the blues have the possibility to give a huge signal to the competition: winning in Bergamo, in addition to erasing the ghosts, would reaffirm his authority in the race for the Scudetto. Sarri has only one big doubt relating to Hamsik: the captain had the flu all week but he recovered and was called up. The coach could initially leave him on the bench by virtue of Zielinski or force his presence, however everything will be decided only close to the match. For the rest, the usual 4-3-3 with Reina in goal, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defense, Allan, Jorginho in midfield, Callejon, Mertens and Insigne in attack. Gasperini will reply with the usual 3-4-1-2 with Berisha between the posts, Toloi, Caldara and Masiello in the back department, Hateboer, Cristante, Freuler and Spinazzola in the midfield, Ilicic behind the Gomez-Cornelius offensive duo.
An insidious away match also for Milan, who certainly don't play for the Scudetto in Cagliari but heavy points to increase their credibility. The draw in Florence and the victories against Inter (Coppa Italia) and Crotone made the first part of the season a little less bitter, now, however, we need to give continuity otherwise it will all have been useless. “Cagliari knows how to hurt in counterattacks, we will have to concede very little pitch and win many individual duels if we want to achieve results – thought Gattuso. – The team is growing, this break has done us good both physically and mentally. We aim to do our best, to win matches and to convince more and more”. Only in this way will the coach be able to play for the chances of permanence, perhaps hoping that the summer signings (above all André Silva and Calhanoglu, but also Kalinic, Biglia and Bonucci) will return to playing at last season's levels. At the Sardinia Arena it will be 4-3-3 with Donnarumma in goal, Calabria, Bonucci, Romagnoli and Rodriguez in defense, Kessie, Biglia and Bonaventura in midfield, Suso, Kalinic and Calhanoglu in attack. Lopez will respond with a 3-5-2 with Cragno in goal, Romagna, Ceppitelli and Pisacane in the back, Faragò, Ionita, Cigarini, Barella and Padoin in the midfield behind the offensive duo Sau-Pavoletti.
