It begins again! The 2015/16 football season kicks off with the Super Cup (14 pm in Italy), typhoon permitting. Yes, because the climatic conditions in Shanghai do not leave you completely calm: the arrival of the “Soudelor” cyclone is expected in China, which will bring heavy rains and winds of more than 40 km/h.
For now the city of Shanghai has remained relatively quiet but worsening is expected today, and the Century Park field is in really bad shape. Barring sensational twists, it will be played, but the match certainly does not start with the best wishes. In any case, Juventus and Lazio want to play the Super Cup to the end, some to keep winning, some to avenge last season's Italian Cup. “It's a trophy we care about – admitted Marotta. – We must necessarily conquer it, regardless of the changes we have made ”. “We are here to win – Pioli replied. – We are in good condition, especially mentally, but physically we are not at our best but Juve is like us".
Indeed, never like this time, the duel between the bianconeri and the biancocelesti is rather balanced. In fact, Juventus has shed its skin, as evidenced by the transfers of Pirlo, Tevez and Vidal, Lazio, on the other hand, has remained the same team that, just three months ago, contested the Coppa Italia with the Signora. To this we must add the three muscle injuries that will deprive Allegri of Chiellini, Khedira and Morata, further leveling the values of the challenge. In the last few hours, however, the Tuscan coach, who has come under fire from critics for his athletic training, can breathe a sigh of relief: Barzagli has recovered and will take the field from the first minute. This will allow the black and whites to play with the 3-5-2, a less spectacular system than the 4-3-1-2 but more compact and secure.
In defense, in front of captain Buffon, there will therefore be Barzagli, Bonucci and Caceres, with Rugani being the first change from the bench. In the median only one doubt: Sturaro or Pereyra? The exit polls show the Italian as the favourite, in a 5-man line with Lichtsteiner, Marchisio, Pogba (fresh from the number 10 shirt) and Evra. Up front instead, thanks to Morata's absence, the choices are made with the new signings Dybala and Mandzukic as owners and Zaza ready to take over the ongoing match. Change of system also for Pioli's Lazio, who after a month of 3-4-3 (to tell the truth with rather disappointing results) will return to fielding the 4-3-3. In front of Marchetti line 4 Basta, De Vrij, Gentiletti and Radu, in midfield Onazi, Biglia and Cataldi, in attack Candreva, Klose and Felipe Anderson. Only bench therefore for Djordjevic (not at his best due to an ankle problem) and for new signings Hoedt, Morrison and Milinkovic, the latter arriving in Shanghai only two days ago. It certainly cannot be said that it was a peaceful eve and the same goes for both.
Juventus has seen Goetze's track become even more complicated ("he has another two years of contract and will stay with us" explained Matthias Sammer, director of Bayern Munich) and is waiting to formalize the purchase of Siqueira (we're almost there), Lazio instead she had to deal with Nyon's urn, which pitted her against the formidable Bayer Leverkusen for the Champions League preliminary round (first leg in Rome on August 18, return to Germany on the 26th). However, all this will only be thought of from tomorrow. In fact, today the first trophy of the season is up for grabs and that's all that interests Juventus and Lazio.
