Now it's getting serious. The second day of the championship already gives us an advance of those to be circled on the calendar: Roma-Inter (20.45 pm), in fact, is a cartel challenge regardless of a very provisional ranking and the summer climate that will characterize it. There are many themes that make the match at the Olimpico tantalizing: the clash itself, obviously, but also the return of Spalletti to what was his reign until recently, and moreover against that Totti who he will find again in a suit and tie just like him, albeit with different roles. “It's a city I loved and I go back there with enthusiasm, regardless of how I'm welcomed – commented the coach. – If I meet Francesco I will greet him and hug him, for my part there are no pending accounts. It will be a very interesting match, we are the ones who have to get to their level, our championship is measured by races like this". There is great curiosity in understanding who Inter will be, especially after the good victory over Fiorentina which aroused applause and acclaim. The speech obviously also applies to Rome, called upon to confirm the precious success in Bergamo: in short, it can be said that tonight's match will tell us which of the two is really ready to make a top championship.
“I expect to see a better performance than last Sunday's – said Di Francesco. – Against Atalanta we did very well in terms of character but against Inter we will need more quality in the games, they are strong and they have already demonstrated it with Fiorentina”. The duel on the field will then be followed by the one on the market for Patrik Schick (Roma with a clear advantage and an eye also on Juve) but first, obviously, we need to think about the match. The Giallorossi are grappling with a real full-back emergency, so much so that Di Francesco will cover the right wing by adapting Manolas; the other interpreters of his 4-3-3 will be Alisson in goal, Fazio, Juan Jesus and Kolarov in defense, Nainggolan, De Rossi and Strootman in midfield, Defrel, Dzeko and Perotti in attack. On the other hand, no training problems for Spalletti, who however will still leave the two new signings Cancelo and Dalbert on the bench, preferring to rely on the more "experienced" D'Ambrosio and Nagatomo. For the rest it will be 4-2-3-1 with Handanovic in goal, Miranda and Skriniar in the center of the back, Vecino and Gagliardini in the midfield, Candreva, Borja Valero and Perisic in the trocar behind the lone striker Icardi. However, the second day will be opened by Juventus, engaged in bringing forward 18 on the Genoa field. The bianconeri thus return to the rossoblu Marassi after the bad defeat of last season, when Juric's men even scored 3 goals in less than half an hour. “Let's try not to repeat ourselves – thundered Allegri. – We have to win and it won't be easy because we always suffer in that stadium, Genoa transforms at home. Getting full loot before the break would be very important, a careful and spirited performance will be needed."
Even at Juve, of course, the eyes are still focused on the market, especially now that Claudio Marchisio has stopped again due to a knee problem. At the moment, however, more than in the midfield, Marotta and Paratici are working for the defense and aiming decisively at Howedes, the 29-year-old German capable of covering all roles in the 4-a-side line: the negotiation with Schalke 04 is well advanced (it is for a loan with an obligation to buy) but in the last few hours Liverpool has entered to create too many headaches. “You take care of the transfer market – Allegri glossed over. – At the moment I work with those I have available and I am thinking of Genoa, an opponent who should not be underestimated for any reason". The Juventus coach will face the challenge of Marassi with the classic 4-2-3-1 with Buffon in goal, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini and Alex Sandro in defense, Matuidi and Pjanic in midfield, Douglas Costa, Dybala and Mandzukic in support of Gonzalo Higuain. Juric will try to repeat last season's feat with a 3-4-3 that will see Perin in goal, Biraschi, Rossettini and Gentiletti in the back, Lazovic, Omeonga, Bertolacci and Laxalt in the midfield, Pandev, Galabinov and Taarabt in attack . And only later, once the shift is over, will it be time to jump on the market for the last fiery days.
