Those who go slowly will also arrive safely and far away, but they certainly won't take third place so easily. Milan and Naples didn't go beyond a draw against Cagliari and Atalanta, while Inter smiled as they beat Sampdoria in the photo finish, further shortening the standings. Which now, waiting for Lazio (in case of victory in Verona it would be alone on the podium), also sees Fiorentina (3-0 over Udinese, bad setback for Stramaccioni) and Genoa enter the fight for the Champions League. Eight teams in three points, all more or less with the same chances. However, the favorites Milan and Napoli are above all missing, who continue to waste precious opportunities. The speech is even more true for Benitez's men, capable of giving the usual ups and downs of emotions. After conceding the "usual" goal from Denis (real bete noire), the Azzurri came close to the turnaround that would have had immediate effects on the standings. Instead Higuain, very good on the occasion of the turn that earned the equalizer (86 '), let himself be hypnotized by Sportiello, very good at neutralizing his penalty kick in full stoppage time. “It's a shame, we played well and controlled the match – admitted Benitez. – Sorry we didn't win, we made too many mistakes up front. And then we have to work better in the defensive phase, this time Albiol made a mistake but, in general, we always concede too much".
The same goes for Inzaghi's Milan, at least in substance. Because the Rossoneri, usually very active from the waist up, ended up conceding a lot to Zeman's Cagliari without worrying him too much. Suffice it to say that the first goal for the Sardinians came after just 3' with Ibarbo (great save by Rami), starter of the actual goal scored by the same striker 20 minutes later. An athletic and territorial supremacy that of the rossoblu, tainted only by a beautiful (and lucky) play by Bonaventura, in the net with a cross-shot in the 34th minute. On balance, however, the 1-1 final goes rather well for Milan, who appeared decidedly in debt for ideas and oxygen. “It was a difficult match, they were fresher because they had played on Saturday afternoon – Inzaghi's analysis. – We know that we will have to suffer, the championship is difficult and balanced. In any case, let's hold on to our third place, a good sign of growth for us". Yes, but the feeling is that this Milan has finished surprising and that Superpippo must invent something different as soon as possible.
Who smiles, albeit with the usual full of tension, is Walter Mazzarri's Inter. The nerazzurri managed to win against Sampdoria in what, on paper, was the most captivating match of the day. A narrow success for the Nerazzurri, who managed to unhinge Romero's goal in the 90th minute thanks to a penalty from Icardi. An unspectacular test but certainly of character, for a group that, slowly, is at least recovering continuity of results. “We had a great game against an unbeaten team – thought Mazzarri. – I'm happy for the boys, they came out exhausted after playing great football. I really feel like this team is mine." Too bad he can't say the same about the public, always hostile towards him so much as to induce the announcer of San Siro not to mention his name in the pre-match. “The boos? I didn't hear them – the technician glossed over. – Everyone can say what he wants, I bring the numbers. And then with age you change, now they even tell me that I'm too calm”. Surely the six points collected in the last two games will guarantee him a bit more serenity. At least until the next day…
