Where were we? After two weeks off, the championship starts again and, as it should be, it does it with a bang. We start today with Lazio-Juventus and Atalanta-Roma, two important and delicate challenges that could have a significant impact on the Scudetto race, to then arrive at tomorrow night's highlight with the Milan derby. However, today's dish is enough to feed our local football enthusiasts; at stake is the top of the standings, not just considering that, in a few days, the duelists will also dive back into the Champions League. In chronological order, it will be Roma's turn first, engaged in a historically difficult away match like that of Bergamo (18 pm), but it is clear that the spotlights will turn on above all at the Olimpico, where Juventus will be called upon to dodge the Lazio trap (20.45 pm) .
“We have a duty to think only of this match, not of Malmoe – thought Massimiliano Allegri -. The Biancocelesti are strong, they can really fight for third place and they will also be angry after the defeat at Empoli. They have a lot of quality, we will have to be prepared for a very difficult match."
In addition to Lazio's effective quality, there is another thought that disturbs the Juventus coach. It's about the post-break, a moment that is always difficult to manage for teams that, like Juve, have had players traveling around the world practically until Thursday.
But first, as previously mentioned, it will be Roma's turn, which was also teased during the week by Allegri himself. "If they finish second they will have failed" the provocation of the Juventus coach, to which the Giallorossi colleague promptly replied.
“We don't need external declarations to motivate us – Trigoria replied piquedly -. Our ambitions haven't changed one iota: we want qualification for the Champions League and the Scudetto." That's why, between tonight and Tuesday, absolutely no mistakes are allowed. We start from Bergamo, a historically complicated field for Roma, who have won only 16 times out of 52 matches on the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia field. Last year too there was a lot of effort, with the Giallorossi able to snatch an equalizer after time was almost up (Strootman) after the Nerazzurri took the lead (Brivio) for the 1-1 final.
“I told my players that, between now and Christmas, we have seven finals ahead – Garcia's speech -. The first is this, then it will be up to the Champions League. We want to win every game, as always." The Giallorossi will also try without Totti (disqualified, in place of Destro in a trident with Iturbe and Ljajic), Maicon, Yanga Mbiwa and Castan, stopped by a cavernoma in the head which will force him to a delicate operation.
"We are all with him, after the surgery he will return to play with us 200%" the thought of the French coach, to which was added that of Allegri. “I want to wish him all the best, I hope to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible” the words from Vinovo, under the banner of fair play and sportsmanship. Because in the face of certain things, fortunately, everything else takes a back seat.
