There are those who laugh and those who cry. The first day of the new Champions League makes Juventus happy, victorious 3-1 over the Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, but ends up worsening the crisis of Milan, defeated by Liverpool with the same score (with the roles reversed, of course) and harshly contested by their fans. The atmosphere around Milanello is incandescent again and it matters little that Inter, the next opponent in Sunday's derby, still has to face Manchester City in today's big match (21 pm): the discontent put to rest by the victory over Venezia has exploded again and the black and blue spectre, if possible, creates even more worries than necessary. To complete the picture, awaiting Atalanta-Arsenal tomorrow, will be Italiano's Bologna, awaited by the home match against Shakhtar Donetsk (18 pm).
Milan – Liverpool 1-3: the Reds humiliate the Devil, San Siro protests
A very bitter evening for the Rossoneri, once again in the dust after the (at this point illusory) success against Venezia. The defeat against Liverpool hurts, not so much for the result itself (losing to the Reds, after all, can happen), but for the way it came about. Milan, apart from the first 10 minutes, never managed to convey solidity, ending up being crushed by the greater quality of the English, as well as by a clearly superior game organization. This is what worries the Rossoneri world the most, because it is one thing to lose a match playing it on equal terms (as announced on the eve by the coach and technical leader), it is another to suffer the opponent for a good hour and a half, peppered with goal opportunities that would have defeated any big team in Europe. The Devils, who took the lead after just 2' with Pulisic, were first caught up by a header from Konaté (23'), then overtaken by another header from Van Dijk, who was very good at converting a corner from Tsimikas, but above all by the defense's sleepiness (41'). In the second half, after a few minutes of settling in, the script did not change, with Milan maneuvering sterilely and Liverpool striking on the counterattack with Szoboszlai (22'), all seasoned with the anger of San Siro, which exploded at the end and is still on standby in view of the derby, perhaps decisive for Fonseca's fate.
Fonseca: “The game system has nothing to do with it, we are not strong individually”
“We played against a great team, starting well in both phases, but then they had opportunities on the counterattack and we conceded two goals from dead-ball situations – Fonseca’s gloomy analysis -. This changed our mental balance and prevented us from developing what we had prepared. The details punished us, but honestly, Liverpool are more of a team than us and we need to have more continuity because after conceding the second goal we stopped playing. We conceded two identical goals from set pieces – Fonseca continued – we had planned an individual marking on the one who scored but evidently it didn’t help. We played more on the right because we had decided to work on that side and then change the game on Leao, isolated in one-on-one situations, but he only managed to do so twice. I think we can play with different game systems but we are too permeable individually. In one-on-one situations in the defensive phase, even changing structure, nothing would change if we are not strong individually”.
Juventus – PSV Eindhoven 3-1: Yildiz, McKennie and Nico Gonzalez seal the Bianconeri celebration
The mood was the opposite at home for the Bianconeri, where Thiago Motta's Juventus prevailed over the Dutch team PSV Eindhoven. A full, rounded result, despite the tensions and nerves of the eve, which were rather the protagonists on the eve of the match. Many were waiting for the Juventus coach at the pass, almost to punish him after the two consecutive draws against Roma and Empoli, but he responded present, helped by some of the most criticized men. This is not the case for Vlahovic, who was dry again as in almost all the matches played (a goal only in Verona, compared to the "silences" with Como, Roma, Empoli and PSV), but rather for Yildiz, author of the wonderful goal that broke the balance in the 21st minute, McKennie (opportunistic strike in the 27th minute) and Nico Gonzalez, "in the hole" after an inevitable one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Dutch offered a silent scene, so much so that the final 3-1 point arrived only a few seconds from the end with Saibari, good and cool in concretizing one of the few black and white opportunities. It doesn't matter, however, because the result certifies the success of the Lady in the return to the Champions League, a conditio sine qua non to keep the spirits high, already in decline after the league draws. An excellent viaticum for the challenge against Conte's Napoli, even if Thiago Motta is not the type to be satisfied: on Saturday much more will be needed, at the risk of making a bad impression precisely against the hated rivals, captained by none other than the former Juventus leader.
Thiago Motta: “Happy with the result, but we need to raise the level”
“I'm happy, it's a good result to start the competition, but we also suffered PSV's game and we can do better in the possession phase – Thiago Motta's analysis -. We did well in parts, but we have to raise the level and be good at playing well throughout the game. It's important that the team won and started the Champions League with a success, but now we have to recover, think about the next game and give continuity. Vlahovic doesn't score? He didn't score, it's true, and he could have done better. It happens that you don't score, but you can also do other things well on the pitch, the goals will come later. I'm happy with his work, but he has to manage his emotional side. Managing Dusan is not difficult, since we started he has always been in ideal conditions to train and play. The attackers must have this desire and ambition to score, but they also do other things on the pitch: they can create spaces for their teammates, the important thing is that he participates and gives his all as he is doing”.
Manchester City – Inter (21pm, Prime Video)
The spotlight now shifts to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, where Inzaghi's Inter will visit Guardiola's City. A gala night and not only because it is a remake of the 2023 final: the Nerazzurri, fresh from their record-breaking Scudetto, will face the team that is considered by everyone to be the big favorite to win the trophy, obviously the usual Real Madrid. For Inzaghi, this is an important test, well beyond the 3 points of a long cup that is just starting out, given that the international credibility of his creation is at stake above all. Many, including Guardiola, think that Inter can even threaten the top of the class, without paying the price in the league: today's challenge, in this sense, can provide some answers, even if it certainly does not come at the best time. The Nerazzurri are still getting into shape and the draw in Monza, in addition to the result itself, showed some shortcomings both physically (Lautaro above all) and mentally, regardless of the reaction that at least avoided defeat. Inzaghi, however, will not give up on rotation, aware that certain challenges require the best eleven first and foremost on a physical level: the "tarnished" big names like Lautaro, therefore, seem destined to start from the bench, in the hope of finding their form again in view of Sunday against Milan. In front of them will be the usual super City, who started very strong in the Premier (four wins out of four, to which we must also add the Super Cup against United) and dragged by a Haaland in dazzling form, as demonstrated by the 9 goals scored (!) in just four games. The obstacle is very high, yet Inter has already shown that they can face it in Istanbul: Inzaghi will have taken note, in the hope that the result, this time, will smile on him.
Inzaghi: “No rematch, but a gigantic match will be needed”
“There is no need for me to introduce Manchester City, they haven't lost at home since 2018,” Inzaghi glossed over in the press conference. “We know what we have to do, which is a gigantic match with running, aggression and determination: many components will be needed to play a great game.” We were below the pace in Monza, but against Atalanta it was a different match. We know well that here we will have to have a different pace and intensity, in Europe the level is raised even more. In general, however, I am very satisfied with the lads, we start to always win, then we know that there are budgets and other things, but I don't like excuses. It will be a pleasure to see Pep again, I met him three times and I had a great time twice, in Istanbul a little less so… I think he is the best coach around, he is an inspiration to me. Lautaro? It is absolutely not a coincidence, he is our captain and he will score many goals for us. We need to evaluate and understand, he arrived almost a month after his teammates, he worked and had a problem. He stopped, then went to the national team and played two games as a starter. He traveled a lot, with the games and with the training he will find the best form, as well as the goals he has always scored. Lautaro will always be a solution and never a problem for me”.
Guardiola: “Inter stronger than Istanbul, they can win the Champions League”
“The other day I watched the Istanbul final for the first time, it was very hard-fought,” Guardiola said. “I remember it was a tight match with them having two very clear chances, we only had one with Foden after Rodri’s goal: we could have won like them. This won’t be a final, but Inter are even stronger now, in Italy last season they were truly exceptional. They are a historic club with an incredible mentality, they are used to winning, but they are also capable of suffering, combining physical strength with excellent individual qualities in the maneuver from the back. The Nerazzurri are a complete team that can win the Italian championship and have maintained the structure of the Champions League final, therefore they can compete to win it.”
Manchester City – Inter, probable formations
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ruben Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
On the bench: Ortega, Carson, Lewis, Stones, Kovacic, Foden, Wilson Esbrand, Nunes, Mcatee
Coach: Guardiola
Unavailable: Aké
Disqualified: none
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Carlos Augusto; Thuram, Taremi
On the bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Pavard, De Vrij, Dumfries, Mkhitaryan, Asllani, Frattesi, Lautaro
Coach: Inzaghi
Unavailable: Buchanan, Dimarco, Arnautovic
Disqualified: none
