The hunt begins again. For Roma, hoping to close the gap on leaders Juventus and for Milan, engaged in the run-up to that third place which would be worth the Champions League. The Giallorossi begin, engaged in the lunch match (12.30) against Udinese. An insidious move for the Garcia gang, which last year broke Friuli only in the recovery thanks to Bradley's paw. Inevitable repetition, perhaps with a few less worries, because next Sunday there will be the derby with Lazio and showing up with a misstep would further complicate things.
“The objective is the three points – explained Garcia in the press conference. – This year we want to win the Scudetto or titles. We have to conquer something, we have all the possibilities for it”. However, 2015 is not starting in the best way. Without Gervinho and Keita (engaged in the African Cup) and with Totti and Destro not at their best (both are still able and enrolled) the match in Udine promises to be rather complicated.
The French coach will try to win with the usual 4-3-3: De Sanctis in goal, Maicon, Manolas, Astori and Holebas in defence, Pjanic, De Rossi and Nainggolan in midfield, Iturbe, Destro and Ljajic in attack. Stramaccioni will try to oppose with a 3-5-1-1 with Karnezis in goal, Danilo, Domizzi and Piris in defense, Widmer, Allan, Guilherme, Kone and Pasquale in midfield, Fernandes in the trocar behind Totò Di Natale.
A few hours later (at 15 pm) it will be Milan's turn. The Rossoneri will receive Sassuolo at the San Siro in a match not to be missed. “They are well organised, we will have to be good at not suffering from their counterattacks – said Inzaghi. – I am concerned about the so-called "minor" matches, they are the most difficult". Indeed, Milan have so far lost many points with the small teams, which is why the trend must be reversed as soon as possible if we really want to fight for third place. The calendar offers a tempting possibility: after Sassuolo it will be the turn of Turin and Atalanta, all matches to be won to shorten the standings or even find themselves in the Champions League area.
“I'm not looking beyond this match – reiterated Inzaghi. – We play in front of our fans, we have to feed the enthusiasm. This is the right way back to the top”. Down with Sassuolo then, which Milan will face with the usual 4-3-3. The numerous absences (out of the disqualified Mexes, De Jong and Armero, the injured Bonera and the starter for the Honda Asian Cup) force the Rossoneri coach to change the formation. In defense, in front of Diego Lopez, Rami, Zapata, Alex and De Sciglio will play, in midfield space for Poli, Essien and Montolivo, in attack trident Bonaventura, Menez and El Shaarawy.
Only bench for Cerci, however available after the resolution of the bureaucratic procedures. “The club knew from the summer that he was my priority – admitted Inzaghi. – I think his arrival is very important, but first I have to understand when he will be able to give his all. He can't start from the first minute yet, he has 20-25 minutes in his legs and he can still be very useful ”. Di Francesco will try to spoil the party with the usual 4-3-3, in which Berardi, Zaza and Sansone will have the task of hitting the patched up Rossoneri defence.
