“We will fight to the end!”. From Rome comes a loud and clear cry in the direction of Turin, a response on the pitch to a Juve that always wins, as is the case with the big teams. The Giallorossi had to beat Inter, even more after the Juventus success, and they did it with a great performance. Also because the Nerazzurri certainly didn't stand by: Mancini, despite registering the first knockout of his management, has seen things that he can be satisfied with.
The match at the Olimpico was much more closely contested than the 4-2 final would suggest, with two teams playing it head to head, making for a decidedly pleasant evening of football. The strongest won, those who have the best players, able to make a difference with high school numbers. Above all Totti and Pjanic, but also Gervinho, Holebas and many others: up front, Roma is a show!
“We showed a formidable game, having fun on the pitch – explained an elated Garcia. – My boys don't look at the standings, they always take the field to win. The locker room is very united, I knew we could hurt Inter." However, it wasn't a walk in the park, on the contrary... The Nerazzurri, as long as they succeeded, retaliated blow for blow, as demonstrated by the ups and downs of goals.
After Gervinho's yellow and red lead (tap in on an unguarded goal in the 21st minute) Ranocchia equalized (nice header following a corner), 2-1 by Holebas (left-footed masterpiece in the 47th minute) Osvaldo responded (57', complete with a controversial exultation against a truly hostile Olympian). But Mancini's character was powerless against his defensive mistakes, as well as with Totti's class, capable of providing Pjanic with an assist from the ground to make it 3-2 (60 '). The action, born from a contact (doubtful) between Holebas and Guarin, infuriated Mancini, forcing the referee Mazzoleni to remove him from the field.
“I won't waste words for him – glossed over the Nerazzurri coach. – There have been good things but we still have to work hard, this defeat doesn't change anything. Just like Pjanic's splendid free-kick, only good for sealing an already achieved result (92').
However, Inter's standings need an immediate jolt, also in light of Milan's victory. After more than a month of abstinence, the Rossoneri are smiling again, thanks to Jeremy Menez, the real star performer in the match against Udinese. Conditioned, however, by some decisions of the referee Valeri, highly contested by both teams.
In the first half, a header by Rami brought to light an old football problem: the ghost goal. Ball in or not? The images do not completely clarify, the graphic reconstructions of Sky opt for the second hypothesis. What is certain is that, in 2014, it is absurd to be faced with such events, especially since the technology is already there in England and works well (Saturday it allowed Smalling's goal to be validated in Manchester United-Hull City).
“Now I will begin my battle to have it in Italy too – explained Galliani. – The human eye can fail, let's buy these blessed machines and end it here”. However, the strongest complaints come from the Udinese front. Because in the 65th minute Valeri, with the result 0-0, changed the match by conceding a rather dubious penalty to Milan, complete with Domizzi being sent off. Menez coolly transformed, giving him the advantage and causing Pozzo's anger to explode.
“Valeri is a poor referee, I don't want to see him anymore – thundered the Juventus president. – To compensate for an alleged mistake he then made others, someone like this cannot referee ”. Milan then legitimized the success with another goal from Menez, this beautiful one: personal action and unstoppable right foot (75').
Valeri instead ended his bad Sunday by expelling Essien, an inexplicable decision also in the light of numerous replays. However, the three points remain for the Rossoneri, very important in terms of the standings: waiting for Sampdoria-Napoli (tonight, at 21) the third place occupied by Genoa is only two points away and the calendar, next Sunday, foresees the direct clash . A good test bench to understand the real potential of this Milan.
