Napoli are winter champions. Crotone's 0-1 is worth a nice +4 over second-placed Juventus and therefore the mathematical victory of the first round, given that it does not certify anything concrete but which often, it should be remembered, then leads to the "real" Scudetto. A measure of success for Scida, more tiring than expected but still useful for the purposes of a ranking that authorizes the blue people to dream of the much coveted tricolor.
Moreover, several times in the past we had underlined how Napoli, unlike Juve, struggled to win those so-called "dirty" matches, in which the show, for reasons of physical or mental tiredness, takes second place to the cynicism and concreteness . Yesterday a goal by Hamsik in the 17th minute was enough, then, thanks to the excellent Cordaz, Sarri's scoring streak stopped, thus leaving the result hanging in the balance until the end, with all the risks involved.
Crotone protests (a lot) for two alleged penalty kicks not granted by the referees. “Someone has to explain to me how the Var works,” Zenga said.
In any case, history teaches that championships are also won, if not above all, like this, all the more so if on Tuesday there is a quarter of the Italian Cup to be played (at the San Paolo against Atalanta) and the squad does not allow sensational rotations. Thus Napoli closes an amazing calendar year in which they scored 99 points (!), scored 96 goals and maintained their unbeaten away record (18 wins and 2 draws), the latter record in the top 5 leagues in Europe.
“Unfortunately, all these points were mixed badly because they were made between two seasons – glossed over Sarri – Even the winter title has no value, but this first leg leaves us with good hopes for the future: we are making a important, we are really proud of us”.
Napoli's success effectively eliminates the margin of error for the other greats, starting with Juventus, called to win in Verona in order not to lose ground from the leaders. On paper, the match against Pecchia's team (at 20.45 pm) shouldn't pose major problems, provided, however, that we don't underestimate it and face it in the best possible way.
Among other things, the numbers say that Bentegodi on the Hellas bank has been a minefield since the now distant 2001, when a goal by Del Piero decreed the final 0-1. Since then, apart from a success in 2007 (but it was Serie B), 2 draws and a defeat (2-1 signed by Toni and Viviani in May 2016).
"Not only that, that's a field on which we've only won 7 times - admonished Allegri - But we only need the 3 points, we have to end the year in the best possible way". And then space for the best Juve possible, net of injuries to Pjanic and Cuadrado who will not be available.
The coach will switch to a 4-3-2-1 with Szczesny in goal, Lichtsteiner, Benatia, Chiellini and Alex Sandro in defence, Khedira, Bentancur and Matuidi in midfield, Dybala and Mandzukic in the trocar behind the lone striker Higuain. Classic 4-4-2 for Pecchia, who will try to stop the Lady with Nicolas between the posts, Ferrari, Caracciolo, Hertaux and Caceres in the back, Romulo, Zuculini, Buchel and Valoti in the midfield, Verde and Kean in attack.
If Juve can't go wrong, the same applies to Roma: the defeat in Turin has taken them away from their dream of the Scudetto and only a victory against Sassuolo (15 pm) could reinvigorate it. But be careful not to take the 3 points for granted: since Iachini has been around, the neroverdi have been flying, as Crotone, Sampdoria and, above all, Inter have understood, beaten in order between home and away. For Di Francesco then this is a special match, moreover 5 seasons seasoned by a promotion to Serie A, a qualification in the Europa League and several saves certainly cannot be forgotten.
"I still have emotions for what I experienced there, I feel great love for them - admitted the Giallorossi coach - But now I just want to win, the defeat in Turin must not cancel the excellent journey made so far between the championship and the Champions League" .
Restarting therefore becomes fundamental and Di Francesco will try with the usual 4-3-3 with Alisson in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio and Kolarov in defense, Pellegrini, De Rossi and Nainggolan in midfield, Schick, Dzeko and Perotti in attack.
The same game system also for Iachini, who will look for the fourth consecutive victory relying on Consigli between the posts, Lirola, Goldaniga, Acerbi and Peluso in the back department, Missiroli, Magnanelli and Duncan in the midfield, Politano, Falcinelli and Ragusa in the offensive trident.
