The editorial team’s choices: from the Italian derby to the Emilian and Calabrian ones
The Serie A and Serie B championships are back: we have selected the two must-watch matches from both tournaments
A few weeks ago, Maurizio Sarri complained that the League had not taken steps to prevent the Rome derby from being played at the end of a week also dedicated to European cups.
Well, it didn’t go any better at the Italian derby which the Serie A calendar has scheduled right after the return from the last international interlude, during which the qualifying rounds for the European Championship which will be played next year were concluded in Germany.
The Italian derby
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And so, Inter will present themselves at the Juventus Stadium without Alessandro Bastoni, knocked out by a calf muscle injury suffered during the training camp with Luciano Spalletti’s national team. Likewise, on both sides, there are quite a few footballers who arrive bruised at the most important match of the weekend for local football.
And so, no: there really wasn’t any point in putting it on the calendar for this weekend. The fact is that, in any case, the top of the ranking will be at stake above all else. At least for the Nerazzurri. For the Bianconeri, in fact, in addition to first place, beating Inter would be equivalent to confirmation that the Old Lady is truly back and is a strong candidate for the title.
Milan have not won in the league since last October 7, when Stefano Pioli’s men managed to conquer the Marassi stadium, not without controversy, narrowly beating Genoa.
Since then two draws and two defeats. A mini crisis that pushed the Rossoneri away from the top of the table, making them slip to third place, behind Inter (+8) and Juventus (+6)
Milan-Fiorentina
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In view of the match against Fiorentina, Pioli will have to do without important people, especially in attack, where he will not be able to count on the suspended Giroud and the injured Leao and Okafor.
Vincenzo Italiano, on the other hand, has recovered a bit and shows up at San Siro with the ambition of catching Milan in the standings and the awareness that if his Viola plays as they know they could really succeed.
The victory at Catanzaro last November 4th, in addition to allowing them to overtake the Calabrians in the standings, made Modena understand that they had what it takes to truly aspire to secure a place in the playoffs.
A week later, however, came the unexpected home defeat against Sampdoria which dampened the enthusiasm of the Canarian fans a bit who, however, immediately had the opportunity to make up for it.
The Emilian derby
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And yes, because around the corner there is the big match at Tardini and therefore the derby against leaders Parma who, on their side, had seen their run interrupted by Lecco before the international break.
And so, now Venezia is only two points behind and another misstep would risk jeopardizing a first place which, since the start of the championship, seemed obvious. And instead, nothing can be taken for granted in Serie B and Pecchia’s boys will have to prove on the pitch that they are the best.
Although in recent years both Reggina and Crotone have appeared in Serie A, the true and most heartfelt Calabrian derby continues to be the one that pits Catanzaro against Cosenza and which harks back to the great challenges of the past.
And it is for this reason that the yellow-red eagles do not arrive as they would like to one of the most important events of the season. And yes, because, after a brilliant start to the campaign, Vivarini’s team slowed down their pace considerably.
Il derby calabrese
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Proof of this is the three consecutive defeats which have pushed the Giallorossi back up to seventh place, with 21 points, i.e. two more than the opponent whose visit they receive on Sunday afternoon at Ceravolo.
And it is precisely with the ambition of overtaking and claiming the progress made in the last three weeks – reducing their gap from their eternal rival by five points – that the Sila wolves will present themselves in the Calabrian capital.
