Thursday opponent: Atalanta.

It is difficult to concentrate on a match when there are so many rumors, so many news and so many opinions (mostly contrary) about this Super League. It is a topic that has also been touched upon by the highest European political profiles. From the last of the fans to the European Commission, everyone has spoken out against. Big companies (like Amazon) are also distancing themselves. An attempt to retreat from the 12 conspiring clubs is looming, but if I am sure that there will be very tough measures from UEFA, I doubt that Serie A has enough cojones to kick their ass as it would be right and this would be yet another demonstration of little seriousness of our football institutions, but let's focus on Atalanta.

Gasperini deploys the 3412 with very dynamic positions. It is not a team of great champions, but they help each other, they cover each other, they think as a team and they have become a very strong team: a mentality that we must imitate.

Often one of the 3 central defenders (but also 2) goes on offense without the ball (especially Toloi) and his position is covered by another player. It could be decisive to push mainly on Maehle's wing, the right, with our left back. Alternatively, as a right-back, Gasperini can field Malinovskyi (left), less good in the defensive phase.

Ilicic (left), who could enter in the second half, prefers to start from the right to go towards the center and shoot with his favorite foot. Pessina, deployed as an offensive midfielder, is actually an added midfielder, good at defensive coverage and assist. Muriel is very good at dribbling and has a great shot, mainly right foot. Zapata is also right. He is very strong physically and has a good shot. Great test for our Bryan.

They make a suffocating pressing, defending man to man with the 3 defenders on our 3 forwards, so we can throw long on our forwards who can either lean back or try one on one. It will be difficult but if we win one-on-one with our forwards we can also win broadly.

It is a difficult match because the opponent is strong and because confusion reigns in football Europe (and beyond), but we must focus on the goal which is victory. We can do it and we will do it. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi