Second place on Monday. Naples and Rome will compete after a few hours in search of the silver placing, a position that is not worth any trophy but a direct pass to the Champions League which, pennies in hand, has more or less the same importance. The first move will be up to the yellow and reds, engaged on the difficult Marassi field against a Genoa free from worries but eager to make a good impression (19 pm), immediately after it will be the turn of Napoli, awaited by the home match against the former Reja's Atalanta (21 pm XNUMX).
“Aside from the numbers, everyone knows what work Gasperini is doing – Spalletti explained at the press conference. – At Marassi they always manage to give their best, they always put it on the battlefield level. It will be difficult but we want to win at all costs, we will go there convinced of our intentions”. Justified optimism that of the Giallorossi coach: upon his arrival, last January, Roma occupied fifth place in the standings, minus 7 from leaders Naples.
Since then, however, things have changed a lot and today the gap is only 2 points, moreover with direct clashes in favor. “We have done great things – admitted Spalletti. – We managed to find continuity and a good game, as well as that balance which is absolutely fundamental. I don't know what we'll be able to do next year but I know we can improve, but now we're just thinking about the next 3 games and then we'll see…”.
The dream is to overcome Napoli and take second place: in doing so, Roma would be certain of participating in the Champions League, an enviable condition for making the transfer market in complete serenity. To hit the target, however, mistakes are not allowed, starting with today's match. Spalletti will rely on his usual 4-2-3-1 with just one big change: the return of Strootman from the first minute.
Everything else confirmed with Szczesny in goal, Maicon (Florenzi has a problem with his flexor and will not be available), Manolas, Rudiger and Digne in defence, Nainggolan together with the Dutchman in midfield, Salah, Perotti and El Shaarawy in the trocar behind the lone striker Dzeko. Gasperini will respond with the classic 3-5-2: Lamanna in goal, Munoz, Burdisso and Izzo in the back, Fiamozzi, Rincon, Dzemaili, Rigoni and Laxalt in the midfield, Suso and Pavoletti up front.
Immediately after Roma it will be Napoli's turn, forced to take the field as a result of Marassi acquired. Condition that Sarri never liked, several times the protagonist of controversies when he was still engaged in head-to-head with Juve, but absolutely involuntary: when the League, several weeks ago, had drawn up the calendar, it certainly could not think of a fight for second place with the Giallorossi.
On paper, the Azzurri's commitment would seem easier, not so much for Atalanta (in a positive series from 3 rounds and only 2 points behind Genoa) as for the San Paolo factor, practically infallible up to now. If the championship were played entirely within the walls of Fuorigrotta it would be difficult to imagine a Napoli without a Scudetto, but there are also away games and there, for some time now, things have not been going so well.
However, we will only think about this in a few days, today it is time to focus on the Atalanta of the former Reja, protagonist at the time of the return to Serie A. Sarri has the whole squad at his disposal, except the injured Chiriches, so he will be able to propose the usual 4-3-3 with Reina in goal, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly and Ghoulam in defense, Allan, Jorginho and Hamsik in midfield, Callejon, Higuain and Insigne (undermined however by Mertens) in attack.
Atalanta will respond with the usual 4-2-3-1: Sportiello between the posts, Masiello, Toloi, Cherubin and Dramè in the back, Cigarini and De Roon in the midfield, Kurtic, Diamanti and D'Alessandro in the trocar behind the single point Borriello.
