Thursday opponent: Shakhtar Donetsk.

Luis Castro sets up the 4141 which then becomes 451 in the defensive phase. They are very strong with the attacking winger (Dodo, Ismaily and Taison), but a little lacking in defense. They press very sporadically and are mainly defense, counter-attack and construction with consequent attacking play.

They attack mainly on the flanks, especially on the left thanks to the triangle Ismaily (left), Alan Patrick and Taison. The action then develops with the especially low left assist. Taison is their best player and is led to go towards the center to look for the right shot, while Ismaily makes the whole range to assist for Moraes or the shot. Similarly, they play on the right, with the right wing [also with inverted foot with Teté (left) or Solomon (ambidextrous)] who can go towards the center to look for the left shot and the right back (Dodò) who goes into attack to look for the cross with the right or the shot with the left. Also watch out for Marlos (left) and Moraes (right).

On corner kicks, they mainly mark by zone, all in the small area of the goalkeeper, creating a bit of confusion.

I talked about a strong team in the offensive phase, but we do not exclude a priori that they play a defense and counterattack game as they did with Inter, surprising Conte, in anticipation of second leg at home with the public. Indeed, some media predict central back Matvyienko in place of Ismaily.

For this, it will be important to close them in defense with pressing and attacking play, prevent counter-attacks (mainly with Cristante, Diawara, Kumbulla, Mancini and Smalling), clean the dirty balls in the front area, succeed in dribbling (with Brunetto, Karsdorp and Spinazzola) and shoot with precision, power and conviction (mainly with Mkhi, Pellegrini and Borjta). To score. The mission is to break them, but above all to win without conceding a goal. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi