A victory to take the title. Juventus has no more excuses to postpone the closure, albeit virtual, of the championship. Not after losing against Fiorentina, not after yet another draw against Roma, not 10 days before the European appointment with Borussia Dortmund, the most important of the season so far. The games must be closed as soon as possible, in order to then face the Champions League with serenity: this is why, tonight (21 pm), the black and whites must beat Sassuolo at all costs. It's not so much a matter of classification (that, however it goes, is more than safe), but of morals. Indeed, for some time now, the Juve home has strangely been at the center of criticism and grumbling. It's not a question of results, those, apart from the Italian Cup, have always arrived. Rather, we notice a certain bourgeoisie, as if the Lady were no longer as hungry as in the first part of the season.
“Everyone has lost a bit of enthusiasm, but both we and the fans must be proud of what we're doing – Allegri's speech. – It seems that everything is taken for granted, even the conquest of the fourth consecutive championship. Instead, winning is not easy, you have to work and think positively”. Maximum attention on Sassuolo, a team that, in the life of the Juventus coach, arouses mixed feelings. In Emilia he obtained a historic promotion to Serie B (it was 2008) but also a bad defeat that cost him his exemption at the helm of Milan (13 January 2014).
“They cost me the bench and even in the first leg they put us in difficulty – admitted the person concerned. – In the open field they can be devastating, we will have to be very careful. I would also like to win 1-0, in life you have to be very practical." Pragmatism, but also the price of what happened in the Italian Cup, will lead him to field the best Juve possible. The ordinance 4-3-1-2 will see Buffon in goal, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini and Evra in defense, Vidal, Marchisio and Pogba in midfield, Pereyra in the trocar behind Tevez and Morata. Di Francesco will attempt resistance without giving up attacking: 4-3-3 with the "semi-black and white" Berardi and Zaza together with Sansone.
If Juve can already get their hands on the title on 9 March, it is also thanks to Roma. Which, in this first glimpse of 2015, continues to collect draws: 8 in 10 league games! A roster that is difficult to reconcile with the race for the title and which actually puts second place in serious danger. For now, Napoli remains at a safe distance (4 points) but today, the tussle could be joined by one between Lazio and Fiorentina (19 pm) or, who knows, both. “We have to think about holding on to this second place – admitted Garcia, along the lines of what was already said on the eve. – I have to talk to the players, now important Europa League and championship matches are arriving: we need to raise the level to put things right ”.
Yes, because Roma seen yesterday against Chievo really can't go anywhere. Slow, bungling, prisoners of their own anxieties and fears: the Giallorossi continue their clamorous involution of the game and, consequently, of results. Garcia, contrary to what was revealed on Saturday, relied on captain Totti again but the choice, this time too, proved to be wrong. Not that the teammates did better: from Gervinho to Iturbe, passing through the substitutes Ljajic and Verde, Roma's offensive phase was almost total sterility. Hence the 0-0 draw for Bentegodi, also son of a Chievo who, just like last week against Milan, was able to defend in order. “It was the worst game of my management – Garcia's outburst. – We played very badly, in a disturbing way. After three good level races, I didn't expect such a step backwards". The umpteenth in a long series, which has also robbed Roma of their last dream of glory.
