With five matchdays remaining, there are only a couple of questions left: who between Roma and Como will secure a Europa League spot, and which of Cremonese or Lecce will avoid relegation.

Almost everything has already been settled. The final five rounds of the Serie A season are shaping up to be among the least compelling in recent years.

There is no longer a Scudetto race, with Inter cruising at +12 over second place and effectively having the title wrapped up—only the timing of the mathematical confirmation remains in doubt.

Milan and Napoli are virtually guaranteed Champions League qualification for next season, holding a nine-point cushion over fifth place.

Juventus, under Luciano Spalletti, have surged in the final stretch and now have a firm grip on fourth place, thanks to a five-point advantage over the chasing pack.

At the bottom end of the table, Pisa and Verona are already relegated to Serie B, while Cagliari are still in danger. Genoa, Parma, and Fiorentina, meanwhile, have essentially secured their top-flight status.

Barring unlikely twists, only two verdicts remain: who will qualify for the Europa League and which team will be the third to go down.

In the race for Europe—albeit for the lesser of UEFA competitions—the battle is between Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma and Cesc Fàbregas’ Como. Level on 58 points in fifth place, only one will retain the spot that guarantees Europa League qualification, while the other will drop into sixth, meaning a place in the Conference League.

In the relegation battle, the fight is between Cremonese—now led by Marco Giampaolo after replacing Davide Nicola—and Lecce, coached by Eusebio Di Francesco. Unless both sides produce a surprising late surge and Cagliari simultaneously collapse, it appears to be a two-team fight.

The absence of both a title race and a genuine battle for Champions League spots in the final stretch inevitably drains excitement from the closing stages of the season. Rarely have the final rounds of a Serie A campaign carried so little weight.

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Matchday 32 in Serie A all but seals the title race: Chivu’s side are now out of reach. Relegation battle down to Cremonese and Lecce.

It was supposed to be a pivotal round, and it delivered exactly that: Matchday 32 in Serie A has produced verdicts that feel final, both in the Scudetto race and at the bottom of the table.

With a comeback win against Como, Inter are now mathematically out of reach. Cristian Chivu is set to win his first Scudetto as a manager after guiding Parma to safety last season.

At the other end of the table, Fiorentina’s home win over Lazio has effectively pulled them out of the relegation scrap. With five games left, the final survival spot will be contested by Cremonese and Lecce.

In the most exciting race — the battle for European qualification — Juventus come out on top this round. Taking advantage of Como’s slip-up under Cesc Fàbregas, the Bianconeri move into sole possession of fourth place. Luciano Spalletti can almost hear the Champions League anthem in the distance, but it’s not over yet.

Roma sit just three points behind Juventus and remain firmly in the race for a Champions League spot, alongside Como. If I had to make a prediction now, I’d put Juventus fourth, with Roma and Como battling it out for a Europa League place until the very end.

While many clubs are chasing Europe for next season, the present European campaign has turned bitter for Italian sides — more than in most recent memory. With no teams left in the Champions League, Italy is also on the verge of losing its final representatives in continental competitions.

This week is likely to see Bologna exit the Europa League and Fiorentina bow out of the Conference League, barring major upsets. Two eliminations that will sting even more given the hope of seeing both sides reach the final — and the fact that, based on current standings, neither is expected to qualify for Europe next season.

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The Azzurri president in the United States for the premiere of “Ag4ain”: between cinema, football, and the future of the Italian national team, the focus is increasingly overseas

Between Hollywood and football, Aurelio De Laurentiis stepped into the American spotlight. The Napoli president was a leading figure in the United States for the premiere of Ag4ain, the documentary dedicated to the club’s fourth Scudetto, once again confirming the increasingly strong bond between the Partenopei and the American audience.

Speaking from the U.S., De Laurentiis strongly reaffirmed the centrality of the American market: “I’m here because I had promised this American premiere. In the United States there are 15 million Napoli fans—no small number—and there are so many of them in Los Angeles.” A figure that illustrates better than any analysis how Napoli’s brand is growing overseas, also thanks to the president’s international vision.

More broadly, the connection between the many Italians and Italian-Americans living in the U.S. and Serie A remains extremely solid, as shown by the numerous official fan clubs of Italian teams operating across America, and by the passion with which SMIT – Soccer Made in Italy is followed in the States, the football-focused spin-off of ilNewyorkese’s network that brings the stories and voices of Italian football to an English-speaking audience overseas.

It is no coincidence that De Laurentiis’ remarks came from Los Angeles, the heart of the global film industry. The Napoli president, a film producer as well as a football executive, continues to move naturally between the two worlds, using the United States as a strategic bridge.

The decision to present Ag4ain, the film about Napoli’s fourth Scudetto, in America is not merely symbolic but part of a clear expansion strategy: telling the story of Naples and Napoli to a global audience, with particular attention to the Italian community in the U.S. and new American fans.

Among the many guests attending the U.S. premiere of Ag4ain were Academy Award winner Steven Zaillian and Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles. The latter awarded De Laurentiis honorary citizenship, a particularly prestigious and rare recognition.

Important remarks also came from the United States regarding the future of the Italian national team and the possible role of Antonio Conte. De Laurentiis did not rule out the possibility of releasing the coach:

“Conte as the new Italy head coach? If Antonio were to ask me, I think I would say yes. But since he is very intelligent, as long as there is no serious counterpart—and so far there hasn’t been—I believe he would refrain from imagining himself leading something that is completely disorganized.”

Words that, spoken from the United States, carry even more weight at a time when Italian football is seeking renewed international credibility.

The American trip also provided an opportunity for a broader reflection on the Italian football system. De Laurentiis did not mince words:

“I would start again from Giovanni Malagò; he would be perfect first as a commissioner and then as president of a new federation.”

The Napoli owner then went on the offensive regarding the federation’s structure:
“Italian football is Serie A, which is treated like a Cinderella. It only holds 18% within the federation in operational terms. Amateurs and players hold the majority, and that is absurd, considering that without Serie A the federation wouldn’t exist, since we fund it with €130 million per year.”

A critique that also looks at comparisons with more modern models, such as the American one, where sport and business often move in the same direction.

“There are too many roosters crowing in football. The system needs to be reset and aligned with FIFA, UEFA, and Italian politics, because they ask for tickets, they want to be involved, but in terms of positive contribution and change they never bring anything. And that’s not acceptable.”

The message coming from Los Angeles is clear: Napoli aims to become increasingly global, and the United States represents a key step in that journey.

Between fans, cinema, and new commercial opportunities, De Laurentiis continues to build a solid bridge between Naples and America, turning the club into an increasingly recognizable international brand.

All of this comes as Napoli has moved past the negative stretch of the season, when injuries decimated the squad and caused Antonio Conte’s side to lose ground. Now, heading into the final run-in, Napoli is emerging as the only credible challenger to Inter in the Scudetto race.

Until two months ago it seemed impossible, but now Napoli is back in contention, also thanks to last night’s win over AC Milan in the head-to-head clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

For now, the Nerazzurri’s lead remains seven points, but Inter’s issues are numerous, and on Sunday they were masked above all by the lackluster display of AS Roma, coached by Gian Piero Gasperini, which melted away at the most crucial point of the season.

When Inter face tougher opposition than this Roma—starting as soon as next Sunday’s clash against Como—their points advantage could shrink further… and the Scudetto race could become more thrilling than ever.

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A huge Easter weekend awaits in the Serie A title race: everything could be blown wide open, with Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma potentially doing a favor for both Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.

After the painful failure of the Italian national team in Bosnia—sadly just the latest in a string of recent disappointments—Italian soccer shifts its focus back to the league, which resumes over the Easter holiday.

The weekend kicks off with key fixtures in the relegation battle, but the spotlight is firmly on the two marquee matchups that could define the title race. They will be played on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

At San Siro, Inter and Roma face off as both teams look to bounce back from a dip in form.

The Nerazzurri have struggled since losing the derby on March 8, following it up with two consecutive draws against Atalanta and Fiorentina. In both matches, Cristian Chivu’s side took the lead but were pegged back—hardly an encouraging sign for a team that, for months, looked unstoppable. The absence of captain Lautaro Martínez has been significant, but he is finally set to return on Sunday night.

Roma’s March was even more disastrous. A string of poor results saw them slip out of the Champions League places, and they were also knocked out of the Europa League by Bologna.

Like Inter, Roma have been hit hard by injuries at a crucial stage of the season. One of the most notable absentees has been Matías Soulé, who is expected to return—likely as a starter—on Sunday, just like Lautaro.

If Inter want to hold off the pressure from Milan and Napoli, they need to get back to winning ways immediately. That means recovering both mentally and physically from the international break, especially key players like Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolò Barella, and Federico Dimarco, all of whom are crucial to the team’s structure.

Speaking of the chasing pack, Napoli and Milan will spend Easter Sunday watching Inter–Roma closely before facing each other on Easter Monday in a direct clash. As things stand, the match is a battle for second place—but depending on results, it could also become pivotal in the title race.

For the first time in weeks, Antonio Conte may be able to field his “Fab Four” from the start: Romelu Lukaku, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, and Scott McTominay, all together in a 3-4-2-1 setup.

Napoli, after paying a heavy price for numerous injuries earlier in the season, now looks like the most in-form team in the league and could mount a title charge that seemed unthinkable just a month ago.

Milan, on the other hand, have been excellent in head-to-head clashes this season but have dropped too many points against smaller teams.

If Inter fail to take all three points against Roma and a winner emerges at the Stadio Maradona, that winner would—based on the numbers—be fully back in the title race.

In short, the Scudetto race is still alive—and after Easter, it might be more exciting than ever.

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Italy last played in a World Cup in 2014—twelve years ago. A lot has changed since then, in soccer and beyond.

Back in the summer of 2014, when Italy took the field in Brazil, Instagram didn’t have Stories, Netflix hadn’t yet launched in the country, and names like Spotify, TikTok—as well as acronyms like ChatGPT, VAR, and DAZN—meant very little to most people.

That was Cesare Prandelli’s Italy: Gianluigi Buffon still in goal, the Juventus defensive core—famously known as the “BBC”—anchoring the back line, and Mario Balotelli as the headline figure up front.

On June 24, 2014, Italy played its most recent World Cup match, losing 1–0 to Uruguay.

Ten days earlier, on June 14, Italy scored its last World Cup goal, in the opening match against England—a 2–1 victory. The decisive goal was scored by Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli’s header against England remains Italy’s most recent goal in a World Cup.

What was happening in Italy and around the world in 2014?

Matteo Renzi became Prime Minister, the youngest in the history of the Italian Republic.

Fratelli d’Italia received 3.67% of the vote in the European elections, failing to surpass the 4% threshold needed to gain seats in the European Parliament.

In the United States, Barack Obama was serving his second term as President.

José Manuel Barroso was President of the European Commission until November 1, 2014, when he was succeeded by Jean-Claude Juncker.

What was happening in the soccer world in the summer of 2014?

Real Madrid, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, had just won “La Décima”—their tenth European Cup—in a dramatic final against Atlético Madrid.

Sevilla had claimed their third Europa League title, defeating Benfica on penalties in the final.

Manchester City, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, had just won the Premier League, while Atlético Madrid captured their tenth La Liga title.

Bayern Munich, Bundesliga champions, were coached by Pep Guardiola, while Paris Saint-Germain, winners in France, were led by Laurent Blanc.

Benfica had won the Portuguese league, Fenerbahçe the Turkish league, and Ajax the Dutch Eredivisie.

And what was happening in Serie A in 2014? Who were the main figures in Italian soccer?

Juventus had just secured their third consecutive Serie A title under Antonio Conte, who would leave the club at the end of the season.

Catania, Bologna, and Livorno had just been relegated to Serie B.

Inter had recently been taken over by Erick Thohir, Roma was owned by James Pallotta, AC Milan was still under Silvio Berlusconi with Adriano Galliani as CEO, Juventus was led by Andrea Agnelli, and Fiorentina by the Della Valle family. Claudio Lotito and Aurelio De Laurentiis were already in charge of Lazio and Napoli.

Juventus, under Conte, had signed Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente in the summer of 2013.

Rudi Garcia’s Roma brought in Mehdi Benatia, Maicon, Kevin Strootman, and Gervinho in the summer, and added Radja Nainggolan in the winter transfer window.

Napoli, coached by Rafa Benítez, had sold Edinson Cavani to PSG in the summer and signed Pepe Reina, Raúl Albiol, Dries Mertens, and José Callejón.

Chievo was still in Serie A.

Walter Mazzarri’s Inter finished ninth.

Massimiliano Allegri was fired by Milan after 18 matchdays and replaced by Clarence Seedorf.

Antonio Cassano was playing for Parma.

Lazio dismissed Vladimir Petković after 17 matchdays, replacing him with Edy Reja.

Francesco Guidolin was coaching Udinese.

Vincenzo Montella was in charge of Fiorentina.

Twelve years have passed, but it feels like a geological era ago…

Yet, from a geopolitical standpoint—especially when it comes to conflicts—some things, unfortunately, have remained largely the same.

In 2014, the conflict in the Donbas between Russia and Ukraine began.

During the World Cup, in July 2014, Israel launched Operation “Protective Edge,” initiating a series of intense airstrikes in Gaza that would result in more than 2,000 deaths.

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In Zenica, the Azzurri collapse after Bastoni’s red card: Kean opens the scoring, Bosnia fight back and prevail in the shootout. Italy’s crisis continues

Another nightmare night for Italy, another crushing elimination. In Zenica, it ends in the most painful way: Bosnia win on penalties after a 1-1 draw through regular time and extra time, condemning the Azzurri to a third consecutive absence from the World Cup.

A failure that once again raises serious questions about the state of Italian football, still unable to secure qualification for the game’s biggest stage.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side started brightly, showing intent and composure, and took the lead through Moise Kean, who capitalized on a defensive mistake with clinical finishing.

It looked like the beginning of a different kind of night, but the turning point came just before halftime: Alessandro Bastoni’s red card completely shifted the momentum.

From that moment on, Italy were forced to sit deep and defend for over an hour with ten men, conceding possession and territory to the hosts.

After the break, Bosnia raised the tempo, turning the match into a sustained siege.

Gianluigi Donnarumma kept Italy in the game with a series of crucial saves, while the team tried to hold their shape with discipline and sacrifice. However, the increasingly deep defensive line and lack of transition play eventually took their toll.

Despite limited counterattacking opportunities, Italy came close to doubling their lead three times, but Kean, Pio Esposito, and Bastoni all failed to deliver the decisive blow.

The equalizer arrived late in regular time through Tabakovic, who reacted quickest in a crowded box following yet another Bosnian cross. A goal that reset the match and forced extra time.

In the additional 30 minutes, both sides showed signs of fatigue.

Italy tried to threaten mainly through Pio Esposito, while Bosnia kept pushing forward without finding a winner. The deadlock remained until the final whistle, sending the match to penalties.

From the spot came the final verdict: costly misses from Esposito and Cristante proved decisive, while Bosnia were composed and clinical.

The final result marks yet another bitter disappointment for Italy, who once again miss out on the World Cup after previous eliminations against Sweden and North Macedonia.

Now comes the inevitable moment of reflection and accountability. Because three consecutive World Cup failures cannot be dismissed as coincidence, but rather as clear evidence of a structural crisis in Italian football.

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Gattuso’s Azzurri managed to clear the first hurdle on the road to the American World Cup, earning the chance to play in the Final

A solid start, and that gives us the opportunity to play the second match of the World Cup qualification playoff. The most important one.

Now, though, there’s no point celebrating too early, because the decisive game — the one that will determine the footballing fate of the Azzurri — will be played away, on Bosnia’s home turf.

But let’s take a step back to last night. Gattuso’s decision to stage the match in Bergamo proved to be the right call, because despite an underwhelming first half, the Azzurri never lacked support from the stands.

As the head coach had almost prophetically suggested beforehand, it’s easy to imagine that at San Siro or the Stadio Olimpico there would have been more grumbling at halftime and fewer encouraging applause…

In the second half, the national team grew into the game, eventually breaking down the Irish defensive block in the only possible way — thanks to a brilliant long-range strike from Tonali.

Once the deadlock was broken and the opposition forced out of their low block, the game opened up for the Azzurri, who did well to put it to bed through Moise Kean, avoiding any late drama.

Gattuso now has four days to recharge his squad and prepare for a tough away trip to Bosnia: no room for complacency against a side featuring several players familiar with Italian football, but at the same time no need for excessive caution.

Italy are the stronger side than Bosnia — it won’t take a miracle, just a composed, professional performance like the one against Northern Ireland.

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After a tense first half, Italy find their edge in Bergamo—now a decisive clash with Bosnia awaits

Italy are now just one win away from returning to the World Cup.

A 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Bergamo—powered by standout performances from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean—has pushed the Azzurri into the final round of the playoff path. Next up: Bosnia, who advanced after a penalty shootout win over Wales.

Mission accomplished—for now.

A slow start, familiar tension

For much of the first half, this looked like another nervy Italian night.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side controlled possession but struggled to create real danger against a compact Northern Ireland defense. The visitors sat deep in a 5-4-1 shape, closing central spaces and forcing Italy into slow, predictable build-up play.

Despite dominating the ball, Italy lacked rhythm and penetration. Chances were limited—long-range efforts, a header from Alessandro Bastoni, and a couple of half-opportunities for Kean and Mateo Retegui.

The numbers suggested control. The performance told a different story.

Tonali changes everything

The turning point came early in the second half—and it came from midfield.

After a partially cleared cross, Tonali stepped onto the loose ball at the edge of the box and fired home with authority. It was a goal that broke the tension and injected energy into a previously flat performance.

From that moment on, Italy looked like a different team.

Tonali didn’t just score—he dictated tempo, drove the team forward, and ultimately provided the assist for the second goal. His performance was the defining factor of the night.

Kean seals it

If Tonali lit the spark, Kean finished the job.

After several near misses—including a sharp save from the Northern Ireland goalkeeper—Kean finally found the net late in the match, calmly finishing after being set up by Tonali.

It was his 12th goal for Italy—and arguably one of his most important.

Substitute Francesco Pio Esposito also made an impact, adding energy and movement that helped stretch the opposition in the closing stages.

Job done—but not complete

This wasn’t a vintage Italy performance. It was pragmatic, at times cautious, and far from spectacular.

But it was enough.

More importantly, it erased the ghosts of past playoff failures that had haunted Italian football in recent years. The Azzurri got through the first hurdle—and that alone carries weight.

Now comes the real test.

Next stop: Bosnia

The final step toward the 2026 World Cup will come against Bosnia in what promises to be an even tougher challenge—likely in a hostile environment.

Italy will need more:

more intensity

more creativity

more sharpness in attack

But there are reasons for optimism.

Tonali is emerging as a leader. Kean is delivering goals. The group is responding.

Italy is still standing—and now just 90 minutes away from returning to football’s biggest stage.

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Italy head into the playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland as favorites, but first they must overcome the toughest opponent of all: their own past

Italy go again: after the failures against Sweden in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022, the Azzurri are once more chasing a World Cup berth, once again through the dreaded playoff route. Two scars still wide open. Two absences from the World Cup that have reshaped the perception of a national team long accustomed to always being present—and often a protagonist—on the biggest international stages.

Today in Bergamo, against Northern Ireland, Italy will be called not only to beat their opponents but also to exorcise the ghosts of previous collapses, still hanging heavy in the air.

Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso said it plainly: “It’s the most important match of my career.” And it’s no cliché. It reflects the sheer weight of a fixture that carries enormous stakes. The first of two playoff ties that could send the Azzurri back to a World Cup they haven’t reached since 2014 FIFA World Cup—but if Italy fail to win tonight, there won’t even be a second leg.

Gattuso knows it, and has long been trying to turn pressure into fuel. He chose Bergamo—a tight, intense ground, far from the scrutiny and tension of major cities and venues like San Siro. A decision aimed at creating an environment that supports rather than judges.

On the other side stands a team seemingly tailor-made to stir Italy’s fears.

Northern Ireland have nothing to lose. And that makes them even more dangerous.

Their manager Michael O’Neill was clear: all the pressure is on Italy. His players will take the pitch fearless, with freedom, ready to disrupt the game, stretch it out, and drag it into the territory where Italy struggle most—mentally.

And then there’s that line—apparently provocative, but in reality razor-sharp—that has already sparked plenty of debate: “We’re fearless, Italy no longer have Totti or Del Piero.”

Much has been said and written about those words, which naturally dominated the headlines of the pre-match press conference. Gattuso will likely use them as motivational fuel for his squad, turning tension into a desire to prove their worth.

In truth, beyond the headline-grabbing quote, O’Neill’s comments were far more measured. Asked which Italian player he fears most, he replied: “I don’t think there’s a single one who scares us. We know Italy well and the strength of their midfield, but this team doesn’t have a Del Piero or a Totti: the strength of this Italy lies in the group, not individuals. That said, we respect them—they have players performing at a high level.”

It’s true. But it’s also the crux of the matter. This isn’t a team of stars—it’s a system team. It works if it stays compact, if it doesn’t unravel at the first negative episode. If it doesn’t look for a savior—because right now, there isn’t one.

Gattuso explained it clearly: there will be two games within the game. One with the ball, one without it. Out of possession, Italy must suffer, embrace duels, withstand the physical and mental impact of a side built on second balls, vertical play, and aggression. In possession, they will need clarity, tempo, and courage.

This is where the real battle will be decided: in emotional control.

Because technically, Italy are superior. Tactically, they have more solutions. Individually, they have more quality.

But none of that was enough against Sweden or North Macedonia.

Chasing a playoff final against the winner of Wales vs Bosnia, Gattuso is expected to deploy a 3-5-2 that has effectively become an Azzurri trademark—also because many Italian clubs operate with a back three.

No doubts in goal, where Gianluigi Donnarumma is a guaranteed starter.

With Bastoni back, he is set to anchor the back three, alongside Mancini on the right and Calafiori on the left. A solution to field both Bastoni and Calafiori, even if the Inter defender has traditionally looked more convincing as a left-sided centre-back rather than the central reference.

Midfield, as highlighted by the Northern Ireland coach, is Italy’s real strength: Locatelli, Barella and Tonali are expected to start, although the latter is coming off a Champions League injury that kept him sidelined for two weeks—just like Bastoni.

Out wide, Politano on the right and Dimarco on the left, both accustomed to operating as wing-backs in their club systems. Up front, all signs point to the Kean–Retegui pairing.

A year ago, the two strikers were battling for the Serie A top scorer title. Today, Retegui is playing in the hard-to-prepare-for Saudi league with Al Qadsiah, while Kean has endured a deeply disappointing campaign with Fiorentina.

The absence of Pio Esposito from the starting XI is notable, despite his rapid rise with league leaders Inter, but Gattuso appears set to rely—at least initially—on more experienced players.

There will still be time to make adjustments during the match, with five substitutions available and a long game ahead. It could become even longer if it goes to extra time—where the number of substitutions would increase to six.

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The analysis of the matchday’s goalkeepers, from the Champions League race to the Scudetto battle: the comparison between Stefano Sorrentino and Matteo Blasimme in the double interview, exclusively for SMIT.

The goalkeeper’s role is often the most unforgiving in football: a great save can go unnoticed, a mistake becomes decisive. That’s where the conversation with Stefano Sorrentino and Matteo Blasimme begins, two former goalkeepers analyzing the latest round of league fixtures starting from the performances of the men between the posts.

Let’s start with a quick “stock market” of the goalkeepers from the matchday: who impressed you and who disappointed?

Stefano Sorrentino:
Among those who disappointed me I’d put Svilar and Carnesecchi. Caprile’s performances have also dipped a bit lately.
If I have to name someone who did well, I’d say Motta from Lazio. It’s not easy, at 20 years old, to suddenly become the starting goalkeeper for a team like Lazio, which also has several issues right now. Playing two matches, collecting six points and getting your first clean sheet against Milan isn’t something everyone can do.

Matteo Blasimme:
Yes, more or less the same names. With Svilar it’s a bit of a particular case: he’s simply dropped from the extremely high level he had maintained this season, so these episodes stand out more.
As for Motta, he deserves praise. At twenty, finding yourself in that situation wasn’t even planned, yet he’s performing well.

The goalkeeper’s role is often unforgiving. On the goal conceded by Svilar, with the ball going through his legs, was it a technical mistake or just an episode?

Stefano Sorrentino:
When you enter a phase like that you lose a bit of confidence and security. Even one step more or less can make the difference.
It’s true that in recent years he has gotten us used to very high-level performances, but lately some of them have been negative. The first goal conceded yesterday — one that a goalkeeper of his level shouldn’t allow — had a big impact on the team’s result. And Roma lately have also been struggling because of these kinds of episodes.

After the 92nd minute of Juventus–Roma, the perception of the Champions League race seems to have changed. Is that really the case?

Stefano Sorrentino:
Roma went in a short time from +7 to -2 behind Juventus (and -3 from Como), and that weighs heavily. But the team is still in the race.
You have to consider that Roma are still under construction: they’ve played several matches without a true striker and with many injuries, often using players out of position. In that situation, being in the Champions League race with only a few matchdays left is not a small achievement. And until the final second they will keep trying.

Matteo Blasimme:
As a fan I experience it in a more emotional way. My relationship with Roma is like one with a life partner: there’s a lot of love, but when the light goes out, it really goes out.
In recent years something always happens that prevents the team from reaching its goals. This year Roma had a big match point against Juventus and wasted it. All teams have difficulties: look at Napoli, who lost important players but remained competitive. Roma in this phase are paying a heavy price for their injury problems because they’re not yet at Napoli’s level.
The feeling is that Roma lost a lot of ground precisely in the match against Juve.

After Como–Roma there was controversy over the episode between Gasperini and Fàbregas, with Gasperini protesting about Como players’ simulations and the lack of a handshake after the match.

Stefano Sorrentino:
I know Gasperini well. He’s a very direct man, someone who always says what he thinks. You can like it or not, but at least he’s a genuine person, and that’s not so common in football. As a joke, I actually see him almost too calm lately at Roma…

Matteo Blasimme:
I agree with Stefano. If you watch the match again, some simulations had a big impact on certain episodes. In a game with VAR and technology it’s hard to accept decisions in situations like that. The second yellow card for Wesley was never there and it affected the result, so it’s normal that Gasperini gets angry.
Como play good football and they go at a high tempo, but their players often stay down on the pitch and that can get on your nerves.

Fàbregas doesn’t seem to have been welcomed particularly well by the old guard of Italian coaches.

Matteo Blasimme:
Let’s say he didn’t exactly make much effort to be liked…

Stefano Sorrentino:
He has his own ideas and sticks to them. We’re talking about one of the best players in the world in his role, with a mentality different from the traditional Italian one.
The problem often isn’t those who say things as they are, but our culture that tends to reward those who behave in a more accommodating way.

Let’s talk about the Scudetto race. Did Milan lose their last real chance by losing to Lazio?

Stefano Sorrentino:
In my opinion the Scudetto race has no real contest. Even if Milan had won and closed the gap with Inter, the difference would still remain.
Milan will have to strengthen the squad for next season, especially if they play in the Champions League. They need high-level players and a real striker who can make the difference.

Matteo Blasimme:
Inter are on another level in terms of awareness and quality. For me the title race had already been heading in that direction for some time.
Even when they had a few setbacks, Inter have always remained the most solid team. The others simply weren’t equipped to compete all the way.

Let’s close with Juventus and the work of Spalletti.

Stefano Sorrentino:
He’s doing a great job. He’s finding creative attacking solutions and has brought some players back to a high level, all without a true striker.
However, Juventus need time and proper planning. In recent years they’ve changed too many coaches. They need reinforcements and more personality in the squad.

Matteo Blasimme:
Spalletti is a top-class coach, he proved it at Roma and Napoli. If he’s given time to work, Juventus can really start a new cycle.
For the Champions League race today they are the favorites and, if they finish the season this way, they will have achieved their objective.

L’articolo Sorrentino and Blasimme: “Svilar dipping, Motta a surprise. Inter too strong in the Scudetto race” proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.

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