Napoli flies, Milan sinks. No surprises or twists, the postponement was won by the favorites, thus conquering the Rossoneri's San Siro after 27 years of waiting. It wasn't an obvious success and, in light of the opportunities we had, a draw would probably have been the fairest result, but the Azzurri didn't steal anything, quite the contrary. Benitez's men entered the field with an attitude of grown up, not at all intimidated by the stage of the Scala del Calcio. On the other hand, given the values in the field, there was really no reason.
The standings speak for themselves: Napoli are first together with Roma at 12 points, Milan twelfth with the miserable haul of 4 points. The Neapolitan fans are dreaming, but Benitez keeps his feet on the ground: “We have done an important team effort, this is our strength. In addition, there are quality players capable of making a difference from one moment to the next. There are still many small things in which we can improve, but the character is the right one and we must continue like this until the end. It's our fifth win in a row, we're happy”.
The Spanish coach has good reasons for it, because in the last week his Napoli first beat the European runners-up Borussia Dortmund, then Milan at the San Siro. Those who assumed the classic tennis player's arm are served, the Azzurri are serious and also know how to suffer, just like the greats. After a crackling start (three consecutive scoring chances signed by Hamsik, Behrami and Higuain), seasoned by Britos' goal, Napoli had to withdraw their center of gravity under the push of Milan, more proud than anything else.
The defense resisted, and just when the Rossoneri seemed ready to strike, Higuain scored, albeit courtesy of the inaccurate Abbiati. A terrifying one-two, a sign of technique, personality and, why not, luck. The Azzurri are experiencing the classic moment in which everything is going well, just the opposite of Milan, which instead is going through a really crooked phase. In addition to the faults of Allegri (why confirm Birsa again?) and the players (too distracted in the first minutes, as if they were at Milanello playing Thursday's practice match), there is also a good deal of bad luck in the Rossoneri world. Many opportunities created, above all Balotelli's penalty that could reopen the match.
After 21 consecutive transformations, however, Super Mario crashed into Reina. And shortly after his angry right ended up on the crossbar, testifying that the moment was not. In the final, the Rossoneri number 45 was once again the protagonist, for better or for worse. First with the splendid right-footed shot that set the final 1-2, then with the crazy protests against referee Banti, which cost him expulsion (double yellow card) and away match in Bologna. Wednesday Allegri, already in great difficulty, will therefore have to do without even his best man.
“I don't know what to say, it's useless to get confused by protesting – sighed the coach. – It must be said, however, that Mario suffered 3-4 really bad fouls, 2 of which from behind”. Despite the defeat (which throws his Milan 8 points off the top) Allegri didn't seem worried, perhaps because he's used to bad starts: “The team played the best match in the championship, only making mistakes in the first ten minutes. We also created several chances and in the second half we only conceded a shot to Higuain from outside the box. Let's say that if we were lucky against Turin, this time we were good and unlucky, even missing a penalty. We still have excellent chances to fight for the first places, when we recover all the injured players we will play better. I have clear ideas, after the break, with the full squad, you'll see. Hysterical attacks are useless."
All true, but the rescue must come first. Bologna, Sampdoria, Ajax and Juventus, the journey to the break is not easy, but not impossible either. And this Milan can no longer afford mistakes.
