A draw that tastes so much like defeat. The Milan it does not go beyond a lackluster 0-0 on the field of Chievo and the approach to the area fails Europe. Which, at this rate, will remain a chimera: difficult, to date, to hypothesize an acceleration for a team full of problems. The match at Bentegodi showed once again all the Rossoneri's difficulties in making a play, which, combined with the bad evening of almost all the highest quality men, led to a rather sterile territorial dominance, made up of very few chances to goals and lots and lots of boredom.
“We played better in the second half than in the first, we needed less ball possession and more cynicism – sighed Inzaghi. – Playing against Chievo wasn't easy because they were waiting for us back there, but I think we deserved to win but unfortunately we didn't manage to score. Right now, however, we want to look at the glass half full." For us, however, the task is at least difficult. In fact, the only good thing is not having lost, a little when you face a team that is fighting not to relegate. The proclamations on the eve then spoke clearly: Milan were asked for a victory to shake up the standings and morale and this did not arrive. Consequence of a mangy match, played badly from a technical point of view even by those players who, on paper, would have the feet to have more impact. Over all Lead, appeared very subdued, but also Montolivo (later injured during the half-time) and Honda, with only Bonaventura fighting for the whole pitch. In the first half the only real goal happened to Chievo, very close to taking the lead through Pellissier.
AC Milan have essentially seen each other twice: the first with Destro, however unable to materialize Poli's assist, the second with Boner, unlucky in a beating and hitting Bizzarri in the area. Too little to win and in fact, at the start of the second half, the team seemed ready to change gears. But Honda's crossbar and a couple of tricky balls first for Destro and then for Pazzini turned out to be a flash in the pan and Chievo, though never revealing themselves too much, came close to scoring twice more (shots from Schelotto and Paloschi). On balance, the draw is fair and, whatever Inzaghi says, it goes much better for Maran than for him.
The ball for Europe thus passes to theInter, who this evening (18.15 pm) will receive the Fiorentina in a big match that promises entertainment and goals. Both teams are doing well both physically and mentally, even if recent cup commitments could take its toll. “It's a particular match, it comes from a rather tight cycle – confirmed Mancini. – I hope the boys continue along the lines of what they have done recently, even if we know the strength of Fiorentina well. He plays excellent football and then there's Montella, someone who could coach any team”.
“I respect Mancini a lot – replied the Viola coach. – He is extremely prepared and has managed to give Inter a new mentality. But we'll go to San Siro to win, that's our goal." So no calculations, just the desire to keep dreaming. For Inter and Fiorentina this is a key moment: the nerazzurri want to climb the table, the viola undermine the third place of Napoli, now 6 points away. The close commitments (on Thursday there will also be the Italian Cup) and some injuries will force Montella to change the cards: out Mario Gomez (not called up), Mati Fernandez and Basanta, not at his best (but still owner) Borja Valero. In the coach's 4-3-3 there will therefore be Diamanti, Babacar and Salah, the latter increasingly the favorite of Florence. Mancini, on the other hand, will confirm the backbone of the last few weeks, or that 4-3-1-2 which is giving more and more satisfaction. In front of Handanovic, able again and enlisted, there will be Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus and Santon, with the new signing Felipe on the bench. Brozovic will be seen again in midfield, who will thus make up the trio with Medel and Guarin behind attacking midfielder Shaqiri, one Mancini never wants to do without. Up front, alongside the untouchable Icardi, Podolski will play, still hunting for the first “Italian” goal.
