A draw that makes…the others happy. The 1-1 between Atalanta and Juventus, in fact, he smiles at Naples and Inter in the key of the championship, but also to the large group fighting for fourth place, starting from Milan corsair of Como. Conceiçao's Rossoneri, despite not shining, have gained points on the competition, the same that they hope to do this evening Inter and Bologna, engaged in the last (and very delicate) recovery of the 19th day (20pm).
Atalanta – Juventus 1-1: Retegui responds to Kalulu, meanwhile Kolo Muani arrives
Another draw for Atalanta and Juventus, the third in a row in the championship for both. This time, however, the result is the result of a beautiful match, especially in a second half that saw opportunities on both sides. In short, there was no boredom at the Gewiss Stadium, indeed Gasperini and Thiago Motta gave one of the best challenges between the two teams in recent years. All things considered, however, the two coaches only took home one point, too little for the ambitions of the Scudetto and the Champions League. Atalanta will necessarily have to beat Napoli in the direct clash on Saturday, but a lot will also depend on Inter, tied in the standings but with two games in hand. Juve, on the other hand, failed to catch up with Lazio and saw Milan dangerously advance, also an opponent in the next round: talking about a play-off would make no sense considering that it is only January, but it will certainly be an extremely delicate challenge, especially with the memory of the Super Cup still warm. Thiago Motta cannot be satisfied with the result, but with the performance yes: his team played an excellent match, with the only fault (and this is nothing new) of not being able to manage the advantage obtained with Kalulu (54'), at the end of a splendid counterattack led by McKennie. Carnesecchi had kept Atalanta on their feet with some decisive interventions, the rest was done by the reborn Retegui, who scored after only 13' from entering the field in place of De Ketelaere. The Italian-Argentine pounced on a pass from Bellanova and beat Di Gregorio, allowing Gasp to at least avoid defeat. More excitement at the end: saves by Carnesecchi on Locatelli and Di Gregorio on Zaniolo, before the last chance by Yildiz, who was unfortunate in kicking out instead of serving Mbangula in the center of the area. Thiago Motta once again misses the victory, but he can console himself with the market: today right back Alberto Costa and, above all, striker Kolo Muani, on loan from PSG until June, will arrive in Turin. Both, technically, could already be available against Milan, in a match that Juve will absolutely have to try to win.
Thiago Motta: “Great performance, but we are not happy with the result”
“We are certainly not happy with the result, but I recognize the effort and the performance – Thiago Motta thought -. The boys played a great match, for this I want to thank them. It is not from today that we have been putting in great performances, they have always been there. These players give their all in every match, I don't have to repeat myself: we know the moment we have gone through and that we are going through, but the team continues to provide important performances. We did what was needed and Kalulu's great goal did not come by chance: it was a collective action in which everyone participated. We certainly must not be happy with the draw, we always want to win, but it is my duty to recognize the performance of these boys. It is true that we drew a lot and we are not happy, we cannot be because we always work to win, but the right spirit has never been lacking. Will Kolo Muani be able to play with Vlahovic? I am not talking about the market, in the meantime we hope to recover Dusan, we will only have three days to prepare for the next match”.
Gasperini: “This team never gives up, I see the glass full”
“We played the game with clarity, trying to find space against a very closed Juventus,” Gasperini commented. “In the second half, of course, with a higher pace and a little more space, the game became more beautiful and open. I have to say that I liked my guys for the entire 90 minutes: they had continuity, spirit and also good chances. I see the glass full, it is never easy to face teams like Lazio, Udinese and Juventus. Every Serie A game is balanced and difficult, and I am satisfied with how the guys are responding. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but I think we are having an important championship. The team never loses clarity and continues to play their football, but it would also be nice to take the lead more often, especially in games like this. I am convinced that this team still has a lot to give. The journey is long, we must continue to work with determination and confidence in our means.”
Como – Milan 1-2: the Rossoneri win in a comeback with Hernandez and Leao
A very important victory instead for Milan, who conquers Como and relaunches themselves in the Champions League. The 3 points, combined with Juve, allow the Devil to gain ground on all the competitors, moreover a few days before the direct clash in Turin, which will see them face Thiago Motta's Lady. A rich Tuesday, in short, even at the end of a performance that was hard-fought, at times even labored, in which the Rossoneri suffered an excellent Como. Conceiçao still has a lot to do, in the meantime however he takes the first success in the championship (the third in four games, also considering the Super Cup) and enjoys the rebirth of Theo Hernandez and Leao, absolute protagonists of the comeback on the lake shore. Once again his Milan got the approach wrong, playing a subdued first half and throwing away two great opportunities with Reijnders and Morata. Fabregas' team, redesigned with a 3-4-2-1, found the right countermeasures almost immediately, scaring Maignan in some situations and winning numerous duels, as demonstrated by the three Rossoneri booked. One, in particular, is rather serious: Morata, cautioned and suspended for Juventus. To complete Milan's bad first half, Pulisic's injury, yet another in an unlucky season, a few days after the previous one. In the second half, Conceiçao brought on Abraham, Musah and Jimenez in place of Morata, Bennacer (also booked) and Pulisic, and it was the Spanish full-back who came close to taking the lead, but was blocked by Butez. A missed goal, a goal conceded: the oldest law of football struck in the 60th minute when Diao, recently bought from Betis, beat Maignan on his post. It seemed like the signature on the sensational fall of the Devil, instead Theo Hernandez and Leao stepped up to the plate and the result changed completely. The Spaniard found the net with a splendid (and a bit lucky) flying turn (71'), the Portuguese closed the matter with his specialty, that is, the sprint into space (76', great ball by Abraham).
Conceiçao: “The character is there, but we still have a lot of work to do”
“We faced a good team and it wasn’t easy – Conceiçao’s analysis -. We prepare for the matches with a board and video, but on the pitch there are several things missing in the departments. We need to be more present in the duels, offensive and defensive, but there is always a good reaction. Working on positive results is easier and we will look for them, but we need to improve a lot especially in terms of play. We have lost three matches and then come back, the character is there, but we can grow from all points of view. As for attitude, they need to get certain things into their heads by themselves, I can talk for two hours but without that it is difficult. Now we also evaluate the players’ muscular problems: we also need to improve on a physical level for the game I want. There is a lot of work… We have the quality to not concede goals like today, then we create several offensive balls but we need to be more solid”.
Inter – Bologna (20pm, Dazn)
The spotlight thus shifts to San Siro, the scene of the very delicate challenge between Inter and Bologna. Needless to say, the match, already important in itself, has taken on even more weight after yesterday's results, both in terms of the Scudetto and the Champions League. For the Nerazzurri, this is a golden opportunity to get closer to Napoli and put further pressure on them in view of the next round, when they will visit Gasperini's Goddess. The possibility of overtaking them even before the other recovery match with Fiorentina exists, but it necessarily requires a victory over Bologna. It won't be easy, given that the Rossoblu are going through an excellent moment of form and have already caused difficulties for several big teams, not least Roma last weekend. Italiano, moreover, has legitimate European ambitions and has every intention of playing his cards to the best of his ability, perhaps taking advantage of an Inter without Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan. The Turk, in particular, has suffered a calf problem and risks missing the next one with Empoli, confirming a difficult moment from a health point of view. Inzaghi will have to take this into account in his lineup choices, because the period is demanding and extremely important for the seasonal objectives. The feeling is that part of the race is decided now, which is why we must grit our teeth and get as many points as possible, also to exploit the inertia of the calendar.
Inter – Bologna, probable formations
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Darmian, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro
On the bench: Martinez, Calligaris, Pavard, Palacios, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto, Frattesi, Buchanan, Taremi, Arnautovic
Coach: Inzaghi
Unavailable: Di Gennaro, Correa, Bisseck, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu
Disqualified: None
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Holm, Beukema, Casale, Miranda; Pobega, Freuler; Orsolini, Ferguson, Dominguez; Castro
On the bench: Ravaglia, Bagnolini, De Silvestri, Posch, Lykogiannis, Erlic, Fabbian, Moro, Iling Jr, Urbanski, Odgaard, Ndoye, Dallinga
Coach: Italian
Unavailable: El Azzouzi, Cambiaghi, Aebischer
Disqualified: Lucumì