all the most important stages – Corriere.it

In the late autumn of 1964, after yet another correct prediction, Helenio Herrera reigning European champion withinter, he revealed the secret of his predictions, somewhat amazed: «I’m not a magician, I study the calendar…».

The endless duel

Who knows how HH would have behaved in the face of the asymmetry of the 38 days of Serie A, where the Inter-Juventus Italian derby is played twice in 70 days, between 26 November and 4 February. Because if it is true that all opponents must always meet, the “when” can make the difference. And even if perhaps they won’t admit it publicly, neither Simone Inzaghi nor Stefano Pioli are happy to repeat last year’s experience: then the Milan derby was played on 3 September, on the fifth day (3-2 for Milan); this time it’s in its fourth round and it will be played on the weekend of 17 September (tomorrow the League formalises advances and postponements of the first four rounds) this time too close to the debut in the Champions League. An already delicate first junction.

Smart departures

But Milan’s summer fatigue is not all here, especially on the Rossoneri side: before the derby Pioli will have two away games with Bologna and Rome and Turin at home; Inter will start with Monza who took 5 out of 6 points from them last season, they will go to Cagliari and host Fiorentina, another opponent who celebrated at San Siro a few months ago. These are games to be won for those who want the Scudetto, but there are less complicated beginnings, at least in theory. Like that of Garcia’s Napoli in Frosinone (then at home with Sassuolo). Della Lazio, in Lecce on the first day and then at home with newly promoted Genoa. From Roma, with Salernitana and Verona, from Atalanta with Sassuolo and Frosinone (both away for work at Gewiss) and perhaps also from Juve in Udine and with Bologna. But it is always better to be wary of the middle class and its intelligent departures. From the third day the real exams begin, the face-to-face ones: on 3 September, in addition to Inter-Fiorentina, there are Napoli-Lazio and Roma-Milan. Not bad.

The Champions factor

As proof that the coaches study the calendar well, the new Napoli coach underlined a positive aspect: «After the Champions League, travel to which can be expensive, we will play five out of six matches at home» underlines Garcia, the only colleagues to make a statement. One of these challenges, however, will be against Milan (October 29), who will also have Juve in that week (22). For the Italian champions, the key month in the first round will be December: Atalanta, Inter and Juve in sequence and then Roma on 23 December. Yes, because the new championship is a championship without a Christmas break and with only one midweek round (September 27), even if as a result there will be many advances on Fridays and postponements on Mondays. It is also played on December 30th with an advance of barrels at the Stadium: there is Juventus-Roma.

April and the decisive derbies

The Rome derbies are on 12 November and 7 April, those in Turin on 8 October and 14 April. In April (21st) there is also Milan-Inter which kicks off the last month (it closes on 26th May for the European Championship). It is Roma who have the toughest finish, because they have to face Napoli, Juve and Atalanta. The bianconeri also have the match against Milan, while Inter are waiting for Sarri’s Lazio in the penultimate match. The last day is tough especially for Atalanta (with Turin), while the other big names can’t complain. Although by then the game may be over. In case of uncertainties, both the salvation play-off and the Scudetto remain alive. And there is little to study: it is no coincidence that the only time a straight match awarded the title was in 1964 and the Mago’s Inter lost against Bologna.