A poker to try to escape. Only today's direct clashes will tell us whether the mission will be successful or not, but in the meantime Inter have activated the turbo and don't seem to have any intention of stopping. The match in Udine represented a great opportunity for the table and the Nerazzurri didn't let it slip away: 0-4 and goodbyes to their pursuers. In fact, no one will be able to unseat them from first place at least until next week and this was exactly what Mancini wanted.
“Our goal remains the Champions League area – glossed over the coach from Jesi. – Obviously I'm happy with the progress of the team, an important connection has been created and the game can improve even more. There are seasons in which things go well but only at the end will we understand if this is part of the category". Up to now, however, there seems to be no doubt: Inter have everything to try and win the Scudetto. Solid defense, players devoted to sacrifice, tactical flexibility and ability to win even when the game doesn't take off. And if Icardi's return were to be added to all this, then there would be no more doubts.
Yesterday the Argentine, back in the starting lineup after the bench with Genoa, took the scene again with a brace like a true raptor from the penalty area, capable of executing his opponents with their own mistakes. Thus it was that Inter took the lead after 23' of (relative) suffering: an unfortunate back pass from Bruno Fernandes and a sentence from Maurito. Scene that was repeated shortly after even if with different protagonists: Domizzi's (tragicomic) mistake for Jovetic's 2-0, who scored again after more than 3 months of abstinence (31').
Udinese, already in itself underdogs, found themselves having to replace 2 goals against the best defense in Italy, a sort of impossible mission which in fact failed. On the contrary, the second half served the Nerazzurri above all to round up the score and increase self-esteem. In the 76th minute, the Friulians scored yet another "own goal": a mistake by Lodi and a 3-0 by Icardi, making his 6th goal in the league. And finally, just so as not to miss anything, here is Brozovic's shot to sanction the 4-0 and escape in the standings (87'). Inter will thus be able to watch Napoli-Roma and Juventus-Fiorentina with the detachment of the strong: an enviable condition, the same one that Mancini, without saying it openly, hoped for on the eve.
Today is Milan's turn, forced to win (this time for real) to continue to cultivate their European ambitions. Delneri's Verona will arrive at San Siro (15 pm), last in the standings and still without victories since the start of the championship. He would seem like the perfect opponent to regain the 3 points but the match against Carpi showed that, with the Rossoneri on the pitch, it's a good idea not to take anything for granted. “There we lost 2 points – admitted Mihajlovic in the press conference. – Against Verona we must win at all costs, it is essential to maintain the average we have set ourselves. We're aiming for the Champions League and to end the year in the best possible way, then we'll try to make a better second round than the first leg”.
The Serbian coach is charged and concentrated, as if Berlusconi's embrace (on Friday during an event with the sponsors) has reassured him more than expected. “We talked about everything, it was nice to discuss looking into each other's eyes – explained Sinisa. – Our relations are excellent and Galliani is right when he says that no one can feel at peace: I prefer to define myself as "serene". The team is recovering: if we win against Verona we'll reach 18 points in 9 games thus obtaining an average of 2, in line with our objectives.
It is not possible that every race becomes a process”. But a lack of success this afternoon would trigger all kinds of discussions, which is why Milan really can't be wrong. Mihajlovic will confirm the 4-4-2 of the last few matches with a couple of significant changes: Cerci and Kucka out, Luiz Adriano and De Jong in. In defense, to protect Donnarumma, space for Abate, Alex, Romagnoli and Calabria, in midfield Niang, De Jong, Montolivo and Bonaventura, in attack Bacca and Luiz Adriano. Milan super offensive, also by virtue of an opponent grappling with a desperate situation. Delneri will prove the "miracle" with the following 4-2-3-1: Gollini in goal, Sala, Moras, Bianchetti and Pisano in defense, Viviani and Greco in midfield, Wszolek, Ionita and Siligardi in the trocar behind the lone striker tones.
