Napoli-Roma, who is the anti-Juve? The advance of the San Paolo (15 pm) poses a question of great interest for the whole championship, which at the moment still lacks a real alternative to the leaders. The game expressed so far would favor the Azzurri, but the ranking narrows the gap a lot, given that the Giallorossi are following their rivals by just one point. “Everything is premature at this point in the championship – explained Maurizio Sarri. – I don't think a game can project you into certain roles, even if the importance of the same is evident. It won't be easy because we come from a defeat in Bergamo which could have taken away some certainties, plus they have a top-level attack and a very good coach."
However, more than the knockout with Atalanta, Napoli's real problem is what happened during the break. Milik's injury takes away from Sarri the attacking prince of the team, the one who had even managed to make Higuain forget, which is why now the spotlights will all be on Gabbiadini, called to replace the Pole at least until the Christmas break. A big problem which, however, does not change De Laurentiis' strategies, always focused on budgetary needs that make the fans angry.
“Juventus also wins because it has a turnover of 380 million – thought the president, for the occasion at the press conference alongside Sarri. – Give some of that money to me too and you'll see that I too will win the Scudetto…”. In the meantime, however, we need to think about beating Roma, a not easy question, especially since on Wednesday there will be the Champions League match against Besiktas. However, the blue coach seems oriented towards sending the best possible formation onto the pitch, therefore a 4-3-3 formation with Reina in goal, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly and Ghoulam in defense, Allan, Jorginho and Hamsik in midfield, Callejon, Gabbiadini and Insigne (favorite over Mertens) in attack.
“We face the best team in the championship for express play – the words of Luciano Spalletti. – As a way of being on the pitch, as balance, as continuity, as completeness, they are the best of all. And then there's Sarri, an ingenious guy who is making a good contribution to Italian football. For the moment we have not been up to them, but if we are able to give our best we will rise to their same position". The Giallorossi coach knows that a success would project Roma rather high, vice versa a false step would be very heavy both for the standings and for morale. Unfortunately for him, however, he will have to face the San Paolo challenge without important elements such as Bruno Peres and Strootman, injured and therefore unavailable. The 4-2-3-1 is therefore almost obligatory with Szczesny in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio and Juan Jesus in defence, De Rossi and Paredes in midfield, Salah, Nainggolan and Perotti in the trocar behind the lone striker Dzeko.
