The summit clash you don't expect. In fact, few imagined Inter and Fiorentina so high in the standings, but tonight (20.45 pm) they will compete for the top. It's not yet time to talk about the Scudetto, God forbid, but it's certain that the Nerazzurri and Viola give the idea of being able to experience a season as protagonists. Both have come so far with organization and solidity, marking a clear change with the past, when defensive mistakes nullified the good things done in attack. Now, however, they score the bare minimum (6 goals for Inter, 7 for Fiorentina), so very few pass back there. Immediately after the Nerazzurri one (only 1 passive goal) the Viola one is the best rearguard (3), albeit in cohabitation with Chievo. In short, numbers in hand, the match at San Siro risks being a very tactical match, between two very solid teams but not very dedicated to show business. “I think Inter have always tried to play well – replied Mancini. – It is not easy to succeed when the opponents close behind the ball line, we have always shot a lot on goal and had ball possession in our favour. We won't be Barcelona but we are doing good things."
“For me, playing well means having everything under control – echoed Paulo Sousa. – Everyone then has his own idea of football, let's try not to increase the pressure unnecessarily". Once the criticisms have been sent back to the senders, the two coaches prepare to challenge each other with great mutual respect, but also with the aim of taking the three points. Inter want them, not at all tired of being at the top of the standings, Fiorentina want them, which in the event they would achieve the sensational engagement. "I'm not signing for third place, the big teams must always aim for the maximum" explained Mancini, who returned to talking about the Scudetto after a low profile period, "we want to fight for important goals, this match will tell us who we are" he reiterated Paulo Sousa. And then the pitch will do the talking, with two teams promising to battle it out until the end. Mancini will confirm the Inter of the last few weeks: 4-3-1-2 with Handanovic in goal, Santon, Medel, Miranda and Alex Telles in defence, Guarin, Felipe Melo and Kondogbia in midfield, Perisic in the frontline, Icardi and Jovetic in attack . Sousa, also a former player (40 appearances for the Nerazzurri in the two-year period 1998-2000), will respond with the usual 4-2-3-1: Tatarusanu between the posts, a 4-man defensive line Tomovic, Roncaglia, Rodriguez and Alonso, Badelj and Suarez in the midfield, the trio Blaszczykowski, Borja Valero and Rossi behind the lone striker Kalinic (favorite over Babacar).
However, AC Milan will open Sunday football, which will visit Genoa in Marassi (12.30). Important match, which could mean a lot for the AC Milan season. Winning, in addition to giving a sign of continuity, would launch the team towards the podium in the standings, pending the postponement of the San Siro. But the rossoblu, returning from three defeats in a row and grappling with a melancholic (and unexpected) 17th place, will sell their skin dearly. “Nine points in one week would be a nice encouragement – admitted Mihajlovic. – This is actually an important match, if we play as we did, improving the defensive phase, we can win. They transform at home but we can't go wrong. And then I, as a former Doriano, hope to make my old fans happy too". The gauntlet is launched, now all that remains is to see if the team will confirm the progress of recent times, perhaps avoiding suffering too much. This is Sinisa's great mission: if after that offensive he manages to compact the defensive phase as well, Milan could aim for the maximum. “This is a strange championship, we're only at the beginning – he glossed over. – But we are not outsiders, when you wear a shirt like this you have a duty to try to win. Our goal is third place, everything else would be more”. One step at a time, starting with Genoa. Mihajlovic will still rely on Mario Balotelli, now paired with Luiz Adriano. Defense confirmed (Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli and De Sciglio), the other changes concern midfield (with De Jong and Montolivo Bertolacci will meet again) and three-quarters (outside Honda, Bonaventura is advanced). Gasperini, forced to score points to get out of the crisis, will try with the ordinance 3-4-3, even if injuries (Perin, Munoz and Costa) and suspensions (Pandev and Cissokho) make his mission even more complicated.
