Intermediate stage in the "Giro d'Italia" which leads to the Scudetto. But not for this obvious, as ever in our championship. Juventus will receive Parma at the Stadium (15 pm), Roma will respond to the Olimpico against Turin (20.45 pm). On paper, quite easy commitments even if, as has often happened in the past, post-Champions matches can present unexpected pitfalls. “It will be a difficult match both physically and mentally – confirmed Massimiliano Allegri. – We come from a very tough European commitment, but they had all week to prepare. And then they beat Inter and they can count on a player like Cassano”. All true, but the Lady is quite another thing, even net of injuries and disqualifications that are, if not weakening, at least annoying. Today the Juventus coach will have to do without Vidal (suspended), Pirlo and Asamoah (injured), as well as the long-term patients Caceres, Barzagli and Evra. However, the absences will not slow down the metamorphosis of his Juve, now on the verge of moving permanently to the 4-3-1-2 inaugurated in the cup. “On Tuesday we resumed a discussion that we had begun this summer – explained Allegri. – Then, for various reasons, I had preferred to continue with the old game system, even if with a different development. Now we will try to change to try something different, both because my players have the qualities to do it and because they will be able to find new stimuli". However, it is difficult to see the Tevez-Morata-Llorente supertrident from the start: the coach has thought about it for a long time and seems oriented not to risk everything. Pirlo's absence (thigh muscle contusion) will be filled by Marchisio with Pogba and Romulo (in his debut as owner) on the sides, that of Vidal da Pereyra, promoted playmaker behind Tevez and Llorente. There will also be something new in defense: it is Padoin, who won the run-off with Ogbonna for the role of left-back. Donadoni, refreshed by last week's victory over Inter, will attempt the impossible mission with a rear-wheel drive 3-5-2, in which Cassano and Belfodil will have to try to worry the leaders.
Instead, no particular tactical issue around Trigoria, just the desire to cancel the last few performances and find victory again. After the defeats against Napoli and Bayern, the environment is rather worried and a misstep against Turin could really bring it down. “We are second in the championship just three points behind Juve, we are well and very energized – Rudi Garcia's speech. – We have to go back to playing from Rome, with aggression and enthusiasm. We need one more goal than Toro to win, this must be our attitude. Since the beginning of the season I have seen the team on the same path as last year, we haven't changed our beliefs one iota". In short, the Giallorossi coach firmly believes in the Scudetto, which he promised a couple of weeks ago. Back then maybe he didn't imagine that series disappointments would come, but now Rome wants to move on. Opposite you will find a Turin on the boil after the defeat in Helsinki, which has greatly undermined a rather compact environment up to now. Ventura, very disappointed by his performance, had a tough confrontation with Cairo and sporting director Petrachi, in which he even threatened his resignation. The case was immediately returned but this says a lot about the spirit with which the grenades will present themselves in the capital. In any case, Roma remain favourites, despite the long list of injured players which, for the first time this season, will not see Kevin Strootman, back in the squad after 8 months. Garcia will re-propose De Sanctis, Pjanic, Totti and Gervinho from the first minute, the last two flanked by Ljajic, preferred to the bruised (but still available) Florenzi. Ventura will try to redeem the European disappointment by relying on Quagliarella, the only striker of the team albeit with El Kaddouri to support.
