Coppa Kicks Off Italian Football’s Hopeful Return

With the pandemic somewhat, to use the word loosely, under control Italian football has been given the green light to return behind closed doors. Other countries, notably the German Bundesliga, have been well under way with little to no repercussions, so far. Italy has been hard hit with COVID-19 and the resumption of football has been questioned and delayed many times and dangers remain.

The attempt to conclude Coppa Italia 2019-2020 that was at the semi final second leg stage before football was suspended is now on. If all goes well it can conclude on the date that it was originally scheduled with the final to play next week. The Serie A has many more games left of course and will return next weekend with hopes of finishing the season some time in August. The hope is to have a proper and complete league finish and to start the 2020-2021 season in October or November.

The first leg of the Coppa semi final finished 1-1 and had its share of controversy. As any Juventus and Milan encounter the ref did his part and produced cards that rules out Ibra and Theo Hernandez out of this second leg. The former is currently injured and is not due to return before the end of the month. The two absences hhat has left Pioli with some line up choices.

Up front the available options are Rebic and Leao. The former was in form before football was suspended and is getting the start. Paqueta who was certainly not in form may get a chance with Calhanoglu and Bonaventura in front of Bennacer and Kessie. Bonaventura is leaving on a Bosman when the season finally ends as another busy transfer window beckons (more on that coming soon). The back four requires a change with Theo’s absence and both very out of form full backs are headed for starts. Calabria and Conti will play with Romagnoli and Kjaer in between them. Gigi Donnarumma is of course starting in goal.