Saturday of truth. The 30th day opens with Juventus-Turin (17.15 pm) and Lazio-Milan (21.45 pm), key advances in the most interesting Scudetto race in recent years. The derby della Mole, but above all the challenge at the Olimpico, in fact, can have a huge impact on the standings, all without forgetting Inter, an interested spectator hoping to get back into the game. In short, today promises to be hot and not only due to the heat, another factor to always take into consideration. He will do a lot in Turin, where the bianconeri and the grenade will face each other in the eternal challenge between Goliath and Davide.
What worries Sarri, more than Longo's team, which appeared in great difficulty in the last few games, is precisely the temperature, raised to the nth degree from the afternoon time. “In my opinion it is penalizing to play at this hour and I say it also at the level of the Italian football movement – declared the Juventus coach -. Then, as Juventus coach, I stick to the decisions and prepare mine for the match." Apart from the climatic factor, there is however the enormous technical gap between the two teams to consider, to which we must also add the different psycho-physical moments. In fact, Juventus, after the bad start in the Italian Cup, seems to have got into the right gear, at least that's what the last few games have told us, especially Genoa.
Taurus, on the other hand, continues to struggle and only the defeats of those behind him keep him in a situation of (relative) tranquillity: put like this, in short, it would not really seem like there was a match, but Sarri is well aware that his team, however strong, they cannot afford excessive relaxation. “The derby is always a more important match for Turin than for Juventus, so you have to be very careful – warned the coach -. We have to mentally prepare the match very well to try to even out the level of motivation, otherwise it will be very complicated…”.
A team that wins does not change, or at least does not distort itself, which is why Sarri, regardless of the imminent away match at Milan on Tuesday, seems oriented towards confirming the eleven seen in Genoa, barring the exception Buffon, thus ready to break the record for appearances in Serie A (648) currently held by Maldini. The Juventus 4-3-3 will thus see Buffon in goal, Cuadrado, De Ligt, Bonucci and Danilo in defense, Bentancur, Pjanic and Rabiot in midfield, Bernardeschi, Dybala and Ronaldo in attack. Longo will respond with a 3-5-2 with Sirigu in goal, Izzo, N'Kolou and Lyanco in the back, De Silvestri, Lukic, Rincon, Meité and Ansaldi in the midfield, Belotti and Verdi as an offensive couple.
In the evening, as a result of the derby in the archive, it will be the turn of the Lazio, waiting for the delicate match against Milan. The reasons lean on Inzaghi's side, there is no doubt about this, but Pioli, fresh from the misstep in Ferrara, wants to take advantage of the Lazio absences to resume the race for the Europa League. However, it is undeniable that the biancocelesti are in great difficulty, not so much in terms of results (two victories with Fiorentina and Turin came after the defeat in Bergamo), but in terms of men: tonight, in addition to the usual Leiva, Lulic and Luiz Felipe, Immobile and Caicedo will be missing, both due to disqualification.
“We are used to living in an emergency in this period, but I am convinced that with any formation and men we will have an excellent match – thought Inzaghi. – Lazio have already won their Scudetto, these guys are having a great season. First let's center the mathematical qualification for the Champions League, then we'll think from race to race. If we can shorten on Juve before the direct clash? I don't know, there are too many variables…”. One of these is Milan, who appeared in rather good physical condition also in Ferrara, regardless of the final result. In full ranks, the biancocelesti would certainly start as favourites, so instead the differences become thinner and many see the possibility of a coup.
“Lazio, beyond the absences of Immobile and Caicedo who are important players, is a complete team and is in a great moment, tactically and mentally – Pioli's words. – The Scudetto is being played for, we know their qualities, but we have faith in ours. The standings are short and we have to do the best we can, we need points and we cannot lose mental energy”. In short, an open game, with Inzaghi forced to pull the blanket over more than ever to present a logical and competitive team. The coach, to make up for the aforementioned absences, will switch to a 3-5-1-1 with Strakosha in goal, Patric, Acerbi and Radu in defence, Lazzari, Parolo, Cataldi, Milinkovic-Savic and Jony in midfield, Luis Alberto behind the 'unique (in the true sense of the word) Punta Correa.
Some problems also for Pioli who has to give up Castillejo, who stopped in Ferrara with a muscle problem: however, the coach can console himself with Ibrahimovic, able again and enlisted. The Rossoneri 4-2-3-1 will thus see Donnarumma between the posts, Conti, Kjaer, Romagnoli and Hernandez in the back, Kessié and Bennacer in the midfield, Saelemaekers, Paquetà and Calhanoglu in the frontline, Ibrahimovic in attack.
