THE EVE - Only the result counts. Massimiliano Allegri dusts off, albeit using different words, the old theory of the 'short muzzle' borrowed from horse racing, i.e. the value of the victory obtained with the minimum advantage, which in recent years he had already brought to the attention of national football. Today the Napoli coach, taking inspiration from the difficulties that he is convinced his team will encounter tomorrow when facing Roma, reiterates that the important thing in football is to win, because "it is the results that guide judgement".
"Progress - he explains - must be made with results. Management and reading of the match are fundamental, but if we are clear that the main objective is the result, which requires performance to get there, it is easier to get there." "Tomorrow's match - says Allegri - is an important match first of all because it is always a Napoli-Roma and then because we are challenging an opponent who has been doing very well since last year, when they managed to qualify for the Champions League, and also this year when they are close to first place. Gasperini is doing a truly excellent job. He has a team that is full of enthusiasm and good technique so tomorrow will be a complicated and difficult match. And it is an important match because unfortunately, after three matches in which we had played two wins a draw, we slipped to Venice and so tomorrow it would be nice to resume our journey in the championship." "Gasperini's teams - he adds - come at you man for man and leave a lot of space. Matches like this can be even more beautiful and fun, but only if you get a result, otherwise it becomes a problem."
"Tomorrow's match - reiterates the coach from Livorno - will not be an easy match. It is not the last match of the season, the one that decides whether you enter the Champions League or not, or whether you win the championship or not. Tomorrow is certainly an important match, but it is only the eighth of the season. We must have the strength to improve those situations on the pitch which are most lacking at the moment. In particular, when we are in possession of the ball we always give the feeling that the others are getting too much into us, and on aspects like this we absolutely must improve. And then we have to try to give continuity to the results, because only through a series of results can you get back into the top four positions, those that qualify for the Champions League."
Allegri does not say anything about the line-up to be sent out, nor does he clarify whether De Bruyne will be deployed in the new role of director or whether he will return to act close to the strikers, in a position that the Belgian likes more. He limits himself to explaining that Lobotka has played many matches both for Napoli and for the Slovakian national team and this could lead to the hypothesis that he could be granted a rest, at least initially. And then it should not be forgotten that injuries continue to slow down Napoli's ambitions and put the coach in difficulty. "The main objective - admits Allegri - is to get all the players back. Rrahmani was feverish yesterday and we need to understand if he will be fine tomorrow. McTominay was out for two months, Anguissa and Badiashile played very little last year. Tomorrow we will see if we can bring Vergara on the bench. In short, many guys train by playing, but it takes time and patience to get them back to one hundred percent. They are not machines that, even if they are left still for a long time, you start the engine and they're leaving. They're getting back into good shape but some, especially those who have played continuously with the national team, would definitely need to rest a bit to recover not so much physically but above all mentally, because playing one match after another - he concludes - takes a lot of energy away from you."
Rome in Naples in emergency, with Malen still Mora and Soulé
It is a Rome in full emergency and to be redesigned that will host Napoli in a high-ranking match. More for the Giallorossi than for Allegri's team, between the ups and downs of a start to the season that make the Maradona match an opportunity not to miss the train to the top of the championship. Gasperini, however, remains there, two points behind Inter and Lazio, with the opportunity to play before both to continue this battle at a distance. A challenge of nerves, but also of men.
And on the latter, Roma are suffering more than they might have thought because the first tour de force of the season also coincides with an emergency that affects from the waist up. In fact, the known absences of Koné, Svilar and Dybala have been joined since yesterday by that of Pellegrini. An important stop because the injury is high-grade and will force the player to stay out for at least two months. We will talk about it again in 2027, when he will then have to regain a condition that was already not optimal today due to another injury with which he ended the previous year, thus delaying the start of summer preparation. In any case, there's no point worrying now: Gasperini's only thought is linked to which best Roma to field and up front the choices seem forced with Malen as the offensive terminal.
Soulé and Mora will support him, while in midfield there will be space for the duo of De Roon and Pisilli. The good news is Cristante, who has recovered after the inflammation that kept him sidelined in recent weeks. Having him among the squad, even if not a starter, will allow Gasperini to play for a wild card, with the possibility of being able to use him either in midfield or as an attacking midfielder as a raider. A role that Cristante has already played at Atalanta and which - if needed - he will be ready to play again. More choice, however, between wingers and defence, where the trio should return to the type with Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso. On the left, confirmations for Wesley, while the only real doubt is linked to Molina and Lulli. The Argentine comes from scoring in the Champions League and is experiencing a moment of growing condition, the former Primavera player has had a start to the season that has surprised everyone, leading Roma to renew him until 2031.
The official status is still missing, but the economic framework of the agreement has been found. Now there is no team on the pitch, but that is up to Gasperini and in a match that forces Roma to score points to continue to nurture dreams of greatness. Feet firmly planted on the ground in Trigoria, where the club, team and management are all well aware of having laid good foundations, but which can still be improved further. For this reason - in the face of an emergency that is decimating the Club - Gasperini is hitting hard on the January transfer market, asking for two purchases that will allow him and the team to better manage the second part of the season. The owners will try to please him, but in the meantime it will be up to Gasp to deal with the difficulties of the field that begin in Naples.
