Pure oxygen. Milan returned to victory after exactly one month of abstinence and gave themselves a shy ray of sunshine in the middle of a storm. Because yesterday evening the Curva Rossoneri clearly expressed their disappointment, forcing the team to play in a muffled and neurotic atmosphere at the same time. The 3-1 over Cagliari is the result of a very particular evening, difficult at times but then, all in all, proved to be positive. Filippo Inzaghi certainly benefits the most: the bench saves, at least until the next match. "My hope and that of President Berlusconi is that the results can help him stay on" commented Galliani, effectively admitting the precariousness of the Rossoneri coach. In fact, the objective in question would be qualification for the next Europa League, currently 7 points away (with one game more than all the competitors). In short, an almost impossible mission, a bit like Inzaghi's reconfirmation for next season as well. Meanwhile, Milan find an important success, perhaps for the standings and certainly for morale. Decisive, as always in the (few) victories of the season, Jeremy Menez. The French is like this, take it or leave it: often irritates for attitude and various selfishness, but then takes the joker out of his pocket.
After 21 difficult minutes, with a lot of Cagliari and not much Milan, he scored a splendid goal with a right-footed shot, followed by controversial exultation. The 1-0 should give a little courage to a terrified team, but there is so much fear, too much to at least try to play football. And by dint of suffering the opponent here is the goal: great play by Farias on Mexes and ball behind Diego Lopez (47'). But the AC Milan Frenchman is a tough guy and two minutes later he makes up for the mistake with the 2-1 goal, the result of a right-footed volley following a corner. But the suffering does not end there. In the 75th minute Joao Pedro hits a sensational crossbar: if he had entered, perhaps, we would write a completely different story. The sliding doors, this time, make the fortune of Milan who, on the reversal in front, find a penalty for a foul by Ceppitelli on Cerci. Sensational topic of the referee Tagliavento: the foul is clearly outside the box. Menez takes advantage of the gift and makes it 3-1 from the penalty spot (78'). In the final there would be room for some (small) satisfaction, such as Cerci's first goal or Destro's confirmation. However, Inzaghi decides to replace the former Roma player with Pazzini and the latter eats up the 4-1 one meter from Brkic: a sensational mistake! Cerci also joined the club of wasted opportunities, who shortly after wasted again face to face with the goalkeeper. “I've seen the team I like again, now we have to carry on like this – Inzaghi's words. – Start a 10-game mini-league, we can't go wrong anymore. The club supports me, I feel the trust of Berlusconi and Galliani".
Desire for revenge also for Inter, awaited by Marassi's difficult away game against Sampdoria (20.45 pm). The commitment promises to be rather complicated, partly due to the effective value of the blucerchiati, partly due to the tiredness in the Inter legs. But since the standings are crying (sixth place is 8 points away) and Thohir is growling (“the Europa League is essential, we have 11 finals ahead of us” he declared from Jakarta) the nerazzurri will have to grit their teeth and look for the company. Because the president didn't like the rumors of the last two days: it almost seems as if the season is over and it's already time to think about the next one. Situation which, with 11 days of the championship ahead, could create quite a few problems… “Now we have to put aside the discouragement and think about the present – explained Mancini. – I said it and I repeat it: next season we will fight for the top, we will build something important. But that will come later, now we play at our best for this season." The Sampdoria exam is a tough one, especially for him who, in those parts, wrote indelible pages in the club's history. And then, opposite, there will be that Mihajlovic to whom a true and deep friendship binds him. “I would be happy for him if he really went to Milan – commented Mancio on the rumors of the moment. – He deserves big stages, he is an excellent coach. But we have to go to Europe, it's a primary objective”. In short, no discounts, assuming that the current Inter are able to give a decidedly more fit Sampdoria. “Me at Milan? It's a fantasy market – Sinisa glossed over. – Now I'm only thinking about the match against Inter, for 90 minutes Mancini and I will be opponents. I will leave the memories in the drawer, for us it is a final”. The nerazzurri will find themselves against Samuel Eto'o, the unforgettable hero of the famous treble, while Muriel should start again from the bench. Mancini will rely on Shaqiri, left on the bench against Wolfsburg, who will support the untouchable Icardi and one between Palacio and Podolski.
