Friday opponent: Lazio.

In the time of COVID, the culture of Lazio saw the clash of two great characters such as Roberto Burioni (infectious disease specialist) and Enrico Montesano (comedian and denier). They are both important personalities for Italian culture: Roberto Burioni because he made us reflect on important issues such as the importance of being vaccinated for all diseases (a theme on which I agree), Enrico Montesano has made us laugh for a long time. Lately , like many 50s and 60s years old, he pays for not being ready for world change and unfortunate circumstances, such as of COVID truly unfortunate. It must be said, however, that if Burioni has always shown intelligence in medicine, in the rivalry with Roma he has often shown little maturity, with very (too) stupid comparisons.

They are good at leading the game, but they are even more dangerous on the counterattack: to be avoided absolutely.

We can press, but we must be careful of the counterattack. The key to the game is mainly overcoming their pressing (often very shy) with our construction, even with long balls on Dzeko, especially if we suffer too much pressure. These pseudo counterattack situations can be decisive for beating them.

Simone Inzaghi fielded a 352 which in the construction phase becomes 3142 with Lucas Leiva the main point guard. If he is marked, they turn the ball with the other central midfielders (who must be marked). On the corner kicks they mainly mark man by man with two by zone, one at the near post and one in the center.

The player who plays him the most in the offensive phase is the right wing, Lazzari (right). They can also attack on the left with Luis Alberto (especially right) who overlaps Marusic, but also directly with Marusic (who plays left wing but is mainly right).

Immobile (mainly right, but also good with his left) is the most dangerous attacker. Good at picking up the team against pressing, particularly with the foul. Good at dribbling, with good power and very good at confusing the referees, both with simulations in the area (on a penalty is practically perfect), and with repeated protests. When he plays with Caicedo (left, but also good with the right), he makes the second striker. If Correa were to play, Immobile would make the first striker. Correa is mainly right and is particularly dangerous when he starts from the left to go towards the center. When he plays on the right, we must be careful to the assist.

Luis Alberto helps Marusic a lot in the offensive phase and in the same way Milinkovic Savic talks with Lazzari and attacks without the ball. When they throw from the backs or the goalkeeper. they are looking above all for the head of the Serb. Luis Alberto and Milinkovic Savic are however particularly attacking midfielders, not very suited to the defensive phase (especially the Spaniard), so they could have some problems in recovering the ball.

Even without an audience, the derby is a very different game from the others, it takes a lot of tigna (ringworm), a lot of grit, but also a lot of intelligence (especially to avoid red cards). They are objectively a good team, with several players of high technical quality, but I am convinced that we can leave the field with 3 points. We must show that we can also win these matches with teams of high technical quality and that can give us a great emotional boost. Let's take the derby home. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi