A second place that is (almost) as good as the first. The duel for the silver medal between Naples and Rome is increasingly heated, so as to take the cover of this Sunday's Serie A. On paper, the turn would seem easier for the Giallorossi, engaged in the lunch match (12.30) against a Chievo is in great shape but without particular motivations, while Napoli will have to deal with the trip to Turin, always delicate and unpredictable. “They will come to play the match, this is their trademark – Spalletti warned, however, speaking of the Veronese. – It is not at all easy to beat them, by now they have specialized in achieving quiet salvations and are capable of playing pranks on anyone”. The Giallorossi coach doesn't trust him, on the other hand his Roma have often shown limits of concentration which probably cost them much more than a second place. However, Spalletti's cure worked and now the silver medal is only two points away, and with it a direct qualification to the Champions League that would really make a difference, both economically and in terms of planning. “Considering where we started from, it would be a miracle – explained the coach. – The boys still deserve compliments for taking third place, that was our goal. Now we will try to take a further step forward, knowing that the games do not depend only on us". The plan is simple: beat Chievo and momentarily move to +1 on Napoli, and then shamelessly support Turin in the evening postponement. Spalletti will try to achieve it by focusing on the usual 4-3-3 all technique, muscle and speed. In defense, in front of Szczesny, space for Florenzi, Manolas, Rudiger and Digne, the "trio of wonders" Pjanic-Strootman-Nainggolan will return in the midfield, in trident attack without reference points Salah-Perotti-El Shaarawy. Maran too will rely on the usual certainties, therefore 4-3-1-2 with Bizzarri between the posts, Cacciatore, Gamberini, Cesar and Gobbi in the back, Rigoni, Radovanovic and Hetemaj in the midfield, Castro in the trocar behind the forwards Meggiorini and Floro Flores. In spite of what happened throughout the season, the Olimpico stadium will be practically sold out but here the second place effect has nothing to do with it: the public, in fact, had raided tickets thinking that this would be the last game of Totti, on the other hand, the Captain, who has now made peace with Spalletti, is close to signing a renewal to play for another year.
A few hours later, with the result of Rome acquired, it will be the turn of Naples. A condition that Sarri does not like at all and which instead, ironically (the League had thought of the double postponement to guarantee the contemporaneity with Juve) continues to recur punctually. But the Azzurri have a 2-point advantage in the standings and therefore the possibility of reaching the goal without thinking about the other fields. “Torino is an excellent team with a great coach but we will have to weigh the reasons – explained the Tuscan coach, again in the conference after the long press silence of the last few months. – Ours will be an excellent or extraordinary championship, it will depend on the last two games. From the point of view of the game, however, we have never been second to anyone, I love to win only by playing a certain way. I have nothing against Simeone's football, God forbid, but if I proposed a game all defense and counterattacks I'd leave after half an hour because I wouldn't have fun". A lot of quality has often translated into important strikes, thus enhancing the strength of a truly explosive attack. Above all Gonzalo Higuain, who the rumors from Castelvolturno give more load than ever: Pipita, as well as in second place, thinks of personal records that would give him even more prestige. At the moment there are 32 league goals, 1 less than Angelillo (1958/59, however at the time the tournament was 18 teams) and 2 less than Nordahl, who in 1949/50 reached 35 (all-time record still unbeaten) . "I think first of the team, then it is clear that I would be happy if Gonzalo achieved his goals" glossed over Sarri, determined to conquer Turin by relying on the very owners. So a classic 4-3-3 with Reina in goal, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly and Ghoulam in defense, Allan, Jorginho and Hamsik in midfield, Callejon, Higuain and Insigne in attack. Ventura, perhaps in his last home game as granata coach, will respond with a 3-5-2 formation that will see Padelli in goal, Bovo, Jansson and Gaston Silva in the back, Zappacosta, Benassi, Gazzi, Baselli and Bruno Peres in the midfield , Belotti and Martinez up front.
