After a packed midweek full of European football, the Italian clubs will now shift their focus back to the domestic league. Milan and Roma are the sole representatives of calcio left in the Europa League Round of 16, and they will also go head-to-head on Sunday night in the weekend’s most compelling fixture. So here are the Top 5 questions heading to Serie A round 24.
Atalanta Rage
After having to play the majority of their first leg encounter against Real Madrid with a man down – due to Remo Freuler’s controversial dismissal – Atalanta have been furious with refereeing.
La Dea almost survived the entirety of the Champions League match without conceding a goal, until Ferland Mendy’s late vicious strike.
Therefore, should we expect Atalanta to release their rage when they they travel to play Sampdoria?
Opportunity for Simplici
After their loss to Torino last weekend, Cagliari had to do the inevitable and sack Eusebio Di Francesco.
In Round 24, new manager Leonardo Simplici will have a great chance to bring the Isolani back to the winning ways as they take on Crotone who are at the bottom of the Serie A table.
So will the former SPAL coach seize the opportunity? Or will he be set for an unpleasant start?
In-Form Genoa
Since the appointment of Davide Ballardini, Genoa have rose from the relegation spots and now find themselves sitting comfortably at the 11th spot in the league standings.
On Sunday, they travel to play the league leaders Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza.
So is Ballardini’s golden run set for an inevitable end? Or can his team produce a major upset?
Vital Derby
The Derby della Campania is far from being the most awaited encounter for calcio fans. Nonetheless, it could be a decisive clash for one particular man.
Gennaro Gattuso apparently saved his job by beating Juventus two weeks ago. But since then, Napoli lost to Atalanta and crashed out of the Europa League against Granada.
So would an unsatisfying result against Benevento seal the fate of the former Milan man? Or will a derby victory provide him with another timely boost?
Struggling Milan
After a recent run of poor results, Milan surrendered their Serie A lead to their city rivals Inter, who convincingly won the derby last week, and will now travel to meet Roma at the Olimpico stadium in Round 24.
Beyond the results, the Rossoneri’s form has also took a major turn to the worse, as Stefano Pioli’s men were only able to qualify to the Europa League’s Round of 16 thanks to the away goal rule after their draw against Red Star Belgrade.
Therefore, will this weekend further confirm Milan’s struggling period? Or could it be the beginning of a certain second wind?
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