The traps are ready, now it remains to be seen whether Juventus and Rome (or one of the two) will either fall into their respective ambushes or be able to overcome them. The 18th day gives us two very dangerous crossings between the top four of the class, which could have serious consequences on the continuation of the championship. It starts with Roma-Lazio (15pm), a game that, after a long time, returns to offer ideas that go beyond the supremacy of the city.
In fact, the teams in the capital are divided by 9 points, many but not many with more than one group still to play. “The derby is always a particular match, we will do everything and even more to win it – the words of Garcia – The goal, however, is not to have city supremacy but to be first in the championship. We hope to be after this day…”. There is a lot of energy on the Giallorossi front but the Lazio side is no joke either. “I would definitely not sign for a draw – the thought of Pegs. – Our mentality is to always win, we want to keep third place and I don't think they have more to lose than us."
It's hard to blame the Biancoceleste coach, even if the atmosphere of a great occasion is felt in Rome. With Juventus engaged in Naples the possibility of overtaking is great, which is why failing it could have devastating effects on the environment. Furthermore, the Giallorossi are not coming from an exciting moment: in the last three games they have scored only three goals, and they have also been at the center of numerous controversies. "I don't waste time with these childish things" glossed over Garcia, so far unbeaten in the Capitoline derby. “Last year was different, the match came after the lost final of the Italian Cup – the coach pointed out. – At the time we needed it more for emotional issues, today we both look at the standings ”.
To get the better of cousins Roma will bet on the usual 4-3-3, with De Sanctis in goal, Maicon, Manolas, Astori and Holebas in defence, Pjanic, De Rossi and Nainggolan in midfield, Florenzi, Totti and Iturbe in attack. Another bench for Destro, at the center of a real market intrigue with Milan. "He won't budge from here," Garcia said firmly, but the case is far from closed. On the Lazio front there are big doubts about form and training. Pioli in fact, despite the excellent performance with Sampdoria, is thinking of leaving the 4-3-3 and switch to 4-2-3-1, which would allow the simultaneous use of Candreva, Mauri and Felipe Anderson. Up front there is usually a run-off between Djordjevic and Klose, with the Serbian slightly favourite.
At 20.45 the attention will then move to the San Paolo, where it will be staged Napoli-Juventus. A game that has always been full of rivalry, even more after the Doha Super Cup which saw the Azzurri prevail over the Bianconeri. Impossible to make predictions: Juve certainly have something more but Napoli, in one-off matches, can beat anyone. And then there is the San Paolo effect to take into consideration: in fact, the Lady hasn't won in Fuorigrotta since 30 September 2000 (1-2 with goals from Kovacevic and Del Piero), since then 4 draws (one in the Italian Cup) and 5 victories for the blues.
“Maybe this will be the right time to dispel the taboo – he admitted Allegri at the press conference. – The match in Doha saw us concede many goals, but in the end we could have won it”. Beyond the coach's injections of confidence, the Juventus environment is worried: the Lady is struggling, as demonstrated by the 5 draws collected in the last 6 games. “The championship is long, I've never had the presumption of winning it 10 rounds to spare – Allegri glossed over. – Roma will fight until the end, we already knew that but we are aware of our means, we mustn't get excited or depressed".
The trap But Naples is scary also because the Azzurri are facing the last chance to enter the fight for the title. “It's right to dream, then it's up to me to strike the right balance – thought Benitez. – Now it's better to think about one game at a time, then we'll see”. Underneath, the Spaniard also believes in it because the market has given him two important players: Strinic (in the run-off with Britos) and Gabbiadini. “We took two excellent players – the coach gloated. – We will need them for the second part of the season, we want to improve on last year's performance".
So far though the winter countryside he did not offer Allegri anything, despite the fact that he repeatedly asked for an attacking midfielder and a defender. Sneijder and Rolando walked away but Allegri didn't appear worried. “Buying just to do it makes no sense – he explained. – We would need them only players of great value but taking them in January is not easy”. And then the Tuscan technician will have to make do with his parents.
At the San Paolo it will still be 4-3-1-2 (discarded the hypothesis of a return to the 3-man defence) with Buffon in goal, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini and Evra in defence, Marchisio, Pirlo and Pogba in midfield, Vidal in the trocar behind Tevez and Llorente. Napoli will respond with the usual 4-2-3-1 with Rafael in goal, Maggio, Koulibaly, Albiol and Britos (or Strinic) in defence, Gargano and Lopez in midfield, Callejon, Hamsik and Mertens in the frontline, Higuain in attack. The traps are served: will Juventus and Roma manage to overcome them unscathed?
