The Argentine is doing better and is back in the group today, but still has limited autonomy. Llorente, Wijnaldum, Belotti and El Shaarawy are pawing
Time is a variable that is difficult to evaluate. This is why the countdown to the final in Budapest against Sevilla is both very slow and extremely fast. All this especially for him, José Mourinho, who must add to his training doubts also those relating to his own future which remains in the balance, despite a contract (which no one remembers anymore) which binds him to Roma until 2024. We believe, however, that the Portuguese coach is extremely sincere when he says he is focused only on the match that could make the history of the club, leaving his agents the task of working on track with PSG (above all) and maybe even with Real Madrid. And if the Friedkins at the moment seem to be involved in the sporting wait, but detached from the certainties that the coach would like, the Giallorossi people – thanks to his affection – are trying to appease the Special One’s farewell temptations. Sevilla, however, now steal the show, with all the uncertainties related to the choices.
In defence
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At the moment, the starters should be the classic ones, even if Ibanez’s performance seems to be tarnished. Almost a paradox, if you think that yesterday he was called up by the Seleçao for the friendlies against Guinea and Senegal. On the contrary Llorente, recovered from the injury against Atalanta, is performing well, not to mention that from the point of view of ball and chain exits he is perhaps the best in the Giallorossi rearguard. The other doubt is related to the bands. Spinazzola is recovering, but perhaps he won’t be able to take away the starting position from Zalewski. However, if he succeeds, the Italo-Polish could compete with Celik for the right wing, even if the Turkish player – protagonist of a flash recovery after the stop in Bologna – seems to have the advantage.
In median
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Even in midfield the games seem to be done. Space for the Cristante and Matic totems, which will have the task of filtering and setting. What could be the variant? The use of a very buttoned-up game system, the 3-5-1-1, with Captain Pellegrini supporting Abraham as the lone striker. In this case, Wijnaldum could find space in the midfield, able to float between the two lines, supporting the team’s offensive game. In the race, if needed, there will obviously also be room for Bove.
Up front
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It is the department with the most doubts. The most important is related to Dybala, who smiled again yesterday. He trained separately, but forced himself, getting good responses from his bad left ankle. Today, therefore, he could be in the group. Moral: summoning him is not even in question. At this point the ball passes to Mourinho, who will have to decide whether to use it from the start (even if the Argentine striker hasn’t started for a month and a half) or as a running weapon, perhaps in anticipation of possible overtime or penalties. Another one who sees his quotations rise is El Shaarawy, even if he has returned from Florence a little bit bruised. The Pharaoh, however, will be enlisted, and maybe he hopes that a good performance in the final will open the door to his long-awaited renewal, which in any case seems probable. End credits on Belotti. In the ballot with Abraham, the Englishman has the advantage because the ex del Toro, generous as always, has so far not been able to find his way back to goal. However, it is certain that, if both Dybala and El Shaarawy should experience problems, the two-pronged formation, i.e. the 3-5-2, could become topical again. In the two matches with Bayer Leverkusen, after all, he was the one chosen from the start by Special One. And in the end it brought more than good. Sevilla is warned.
May 29, 2023 (change May 29, 2023 | 12:06)
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