Blue derby for a place in black and white and… in blue, in fact. Although Manuel Locatelli e Nicholas Beans they will have to wait until March and the Nations League quarter-finals before competing for that place in the national team which in the last six call-ups has fallen to one or the other (Locatelli for the March friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador and for the just ended round of the Nations League ; to Fagioli for the friendly matches in June, for the European Championship and for the two previous rounds of Nations). The fight for a place among the eleven is much more immediate Thiago Motta will line up on Saturday at San Siro against Milan. Contention not obligatory, in reality, in Juventus as well as in Italy: because Locatelli and Fagioli could also play together and, even more so, be called up together in the national team. This in theory and from a future perspective. In practice, if, as we have seen in the last eight months, Spalletti has chosen one or the other, in the last 13 games Motta has started them together only once.
Locatelli-Fagioli: who is the favourite
Thus, given the growth of Khephren Thuram (who also stayed at Continassa for these two weeks) and given the importance of Teun Buyers (whose form will instead have to be assessed after the two matches for the national team), it is probable that even at San Siro there will only be room for one of the two Italian midfielders in the Juventus squad.
Given that, scoresheets in hand, it seems already assigned: 14 appearances out of 16 games played by Juve, 13 of which as a starter, Locatelli is a pillar of Thiago Motta’s team, while Fagioli has started on the bench in the last four games and in the last three he also remained there. His last start, coincidentally at San Siro and together with Locatelli, was in the 4-4 draw against Inter. Why then is the result of the ballot not already written? Precisely because Locatelli won the last derby for the place in the national team. He remains the favourite, also because he played 11 minutes against Belgium on Thursday and 67 against France on Monday: with today, tomorrow and Friday to train as a group, he will be able to show up in good shape for the match as a former player against the Rossoneri.
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Blue Derby and the Battle for Black, White, and Blue
Ah, the beautiful game! Or should I say the wonderfully complicated game of football where the only thing more elusive than a trophy is the spot on the national team. We’ve got Manuel Locatelli and Nicholas Beans—I’m sorry, did I say Beans? I meant Fagioli, because who wouldn’t want to take a ‘bean’ to the pitch!—both in a classic tussle for a coveted jersey on the Italian national side. A real Apple vs. Orange debate, if you will! But how do we tell which fruity midfielder is most likely to prevail?
Locatelli vs. Fagioli: Who’s the Favorite?
Now let’s break this down like a post-game analysis show. Picture it: Thiago Motta is preparing for the Saturday showdown against Milan. The tension is palpable. Will he opt for the reliable Locatelli, who seems to have found a secret stash of Italian espresso regarding his game form, or give the bench-sitting Fagioli a chance to shine again? The world wants to know, and so does the Italian national team!
It appears, my friends, that while Locatelli has sauntered onto the pitch a grand total of 14 times out of 16, starting 13 of those, poor Fagioli has been left twiddling his thumbs on the bench for the last few matches. It’s like being invited to the party but having to sit in the kiddie corner—just sad, really. They say good things come to those who wait, but at this rate, Fagioli might have to change his hobbies to include competitive knitting!
Now before anyone goes throwing social media tantrums, I must say this isn’t a simple case of picking favorites! Oh no, this is football, darling! Spalletti, the coach, has done his best impression of a confused dad at a family BBQ by mixing up the grilling technique—keeping one, then the other. In the last eight months, he’s only dared to play them together once! You’d think we were watching a game of musical chairs—except no one knows the song!
So, with the pressing need for balance in midfield and the emergence of new contenders like Khephren Thuram—now there’s a name to drop at parties—they might just have to live in structured harmony or risk going home with no sausages on the grill. Word on the street is that at least one of these midfielders will have to take a backseat at San Siro. Fagioli’s story could very well end up like that of an understudy waiting for his big ‘leading man’ moment. But part of me wonders—is being life’s eternal bench warmer a strategic move? Well, who hasn’t commuted in their pajamas at least once during lockdown, right?
The plot thickens. With Locatelli logging some decent minutes against Belgium and France, he’s now the one strutting around like he owns the pitch—swagger level: expert. Meanwhile, Fagioli’s last trip down the start highway happened during the spectacular 4-4 draw against Inter! So why is there even a question of who gets the nod when Locatelli’s practically stamped VIP access to the national team?
Well, football fans, it seems like the battle lines have been drawn. The Juventus squad is about to experience a magical Saturday afternoon. You know the type—where every kick is scrutinized, every pass dissected like it’s a biology conversation at a dinner party. Let’s see who emerges as the main course in this fine assembly of pasta and pride!
Conclusion
So, dear readers, as we approach this highly anticipated blue derby, remember: whether you’re cheering for Locatelli, Fagioli, or simply enjoying some chips and dip at home, let’s enjoy the ride! After all, in the football theater, anything can happen, and isn’t that the beauty of it? Stay tuned, because someone’s about to be either celebrated or left shell-shocked in the final whistle!
The intense competition for a place in the national team has reached a critical juncture, particularly for Juventus stars Manuel Locatelli and Nicholas Fagioli. Both players must wait until March for their opportunity to shine in the Nations League quarter-finals, a crucial contest for the Azzurri. In the last six international call-ups, the spot has alternated between Locatelli, who recently featured in the March friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador, as well as the recent Nations League matches, and Fagioli, who showcased his talent during June’s friendlies and the European Championship. However, this weekend at San Siro, the battle for a starting position is immediate as Thiago Motta prepares to lead his squad against AC Milan. While the contention might seem fierce, it is worth noting that Locatelli and Fagioli are capable of playing together, increasing the likelihood of both being called up simultaneously for national duties. This scenario, while theoretically possible, has yet to be a reality under coach Spalletti, who has only deployed them together once in the last 13 games.
Locatelli-Fagioli: who is the favourite
Given the remarkable development of Khephren Thuram, who has remained at Continassa for additional training, and considering the performance of Teun Buyens, it appears that San Siro will see only one of the two Italian midfielders feature in the Juventus lineup. Scoresheets reveal that Locatelli has etched himself as a mainstay in the squad, with 14 appearances out of 16 matches, including 13 as a starter, establishing himself as a foundational part of Motta’s strategy. In contrast, Fagioli has seen a more limited role, starting on the bench for the last four outings. His last significant appearance was coincidentally also at San Siro, where he teamed up with Locatelli in an exhilarating 4-4 draw against Inter. The question remains: why isn’t the verdict on their battle conclusive? The reason lies in Locatelli’s recent success in securing his spot for the national team, coupled with his match fitness gained from 11 minutes against Belgium and 67 against France. With training sessions lined up in the coming days, Locatelli’s preparedness for the clash against the Rossoneri promises to be an exciting development.
How did Locatelli and Fagioli perform during the friendly matches in June, and how might that influence their roles in the upcoming Serie A clash against AC Milan?
His skills during the friendly matches in June and the European Championship. However, the immediate focus shifts to the Serie A clash this Saturday against AC Milan, where head coach Thiago Motta seems poised to make a key decision regarding his midfield lineup. To unpack this situation, we welcome former professional player and football analyst Matteo Rossi to our conversation.**
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us, Matteo! Let’s dive right into the fray. With both Locatelli and Fagioli vying for a spot in the Juventus starting lineup, how do you see this competition influencing their performance on the pitch?
**Matteo Rossi:** Thanks for having me! It’s a fascinating dynamic, isn’t it? The pressure of competition often brings out the best in players, and we’ve seen flashes of brilliance from both Locatelli and Fagioli. However, it’s clear that Locatelli has the edge, given his form and consistent appearances. The challenge for Fagioli will be to not let any frustration distract him when he gets his chance.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of chances, Locatelli’s recent performances seem to bolster his case. Do you think this improves his chances of starting against Milan this weekend?
**Matteo Rossi:** Absolutely! Locatelli’s been a key figure for Juventus, starting most of their games and gaining vital match experience. He’s also just played significant minutes for the national team, which can only boost his confidence. If he can apply that momentum against Milan, he’ll be hard to displace from the starting XI.
**Interviewer:** And what about Fagioli? It seems he’s found himself on the bench recently. What does he need to do to reclaim his spot?
**Matteo Rossi:** Fagioli needs to focus on staying sharp during training and making the most of any opportunity that comes his way. The beauty of football is that a single performance can change everything. If he can make an impact as a substitute or even during the training sessions leading up to the match, he might just sway Motta’s decision-making.
**Interviewer:** Another factor to consider is the impact of emerging talents like Khephren Thuram. How does this competition for spots add to the pressure on both Locatelli and Fagioli?
**Matteo Rossi:** It puts them under a magnifying glass! The presence of young talents like Thuram adds to the urgency for players like Locatelli and Fagioli to perform consistently. If they falter, it could open the door for someone else to take their position not just at Juventus but potentially in the national setup as well.
**Interviewer:** So with this imminent encounter against Milan, what should fans keep an eye on during the match?
**Matteo Rossi:** Fans should look for how Motta manages his midfield. If he chooses to start one over the other, it’ll be insightful. Will Locatelli continue to prove his worth, or will Fagioli seize an unexpected opportunity? Their interplay will be crucial, and I wouldn’t be surprised if tactical adjustments come into play depending on how the game unfolds.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Matteo! As we look ahead to the game, it’s clear there’s a lot riding on this blue derby—not just for Juventus but for Locatelli and Fagioli’s national team ambitions.
**Matteo Rossi:** Indeed! It’s what makes football thrilling—the stakes are always high and anything can happen. Let’s hope for a fantastic match!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Matteo, for your expertise! We’ll be eagerly watching the matchup and the developments in the midfield saga unfold.
**Matteo Rossi:** My pleasure! Enjoy the game!
**Interviewer:** And with that, fans, let’s gear up for a thrilling showdown this Saturday at San Siro!