A victory to take "half the Scudetto". The title of winter champion may well be platonic but often, numbers in hand, it then led to the achievement of the real one. Inter knows this well, aware that, in the last 12 years, whoever finished the first leg at the top won the championship in May.
Here because the lunch match against Sassuolo (12.30) is worth much more than the simple 3 points: up for grabs is a slice of the Scudetto, as well as further growth of awareness for the whole environment. “We want success to stay first – confirmed Mancini at the press conference. – Everything else doesn't interest me, the criticisms are part of the game but I would sign to win the next 1 games 0-15 too”.
Yes, because the top of the standings only partially contributed to curbing the controversy over the Nerazzurri's game. The many 1-0s (9 in 18 matches) made many turn up their noses but all this does not seem to affect Mancini, who is happy to look down on everyone despite unspectacular performances.
“I'm not answerable to anyone – the person concerned cut short. – I am only thinking of Sassuolo, a dangerous team because it is full of fast and technical players. They never play to defend themselves, they create many goal chances and we will have to be very careful." Also because, in the meantime, the opponents for the title don't give up and rather raise. Fiorentina's defeat must not deceive: Napoli and Juventus still have a few chips available.
In short, the Nerazzurri must win at all costs if they want to finish the first round at the top, which is why Mancini seems intent on fielding the team in its most offensive version.
Empoli's 4-3-3 should (conditionally obligatory with Jesi's coach) go to the attic by virtue of a much more unbalanced 4-2-3-1, with Perisic, Brozovic and Biabiany behind Icardi's lone striker . Also not to be excluded is the use of Ljajic and Jovetic, the latter starting from the bench at Empoli and therefore fresh and rested.
For the rest, no doubts: Handanovic's goal will be protected by D'Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo and Telles, while the midfield dam will see Kondogbia and Medel from the first minute (Melo still has 2 matches of disqualification to serve). Di Francesco will attempt the coup that would make Squinzi (a great AC Milan fan) happy with the usual 4-3-3: Consigli in goal, Vrsaljko, Cannavaro, Acerbi and Peluso in defense, Missiroli, Magnanelli and Duncan in midfield, Berardi, Defrel and Sansone in attack.
