Hunting for eleven. Inter is looking their eleventh consecutive league win against Cagliari (at 12.30), but also to send Milan back to a double-digit distance, the one that existed before the victory in Parma. The Rossoneri, by winning at the Tardini, are certainly not back in the race for the title, but they have nevertheless collected very heavy points in the Champions League, which will force Juventus to respond against Genoa (15 pm) if they want to stay in second place. But let's go in order and let's start from Inter, eager to collect yet another piece to compose the Scudetto dream. The initial mission included 9 points between Bologna, Sassuolo and Cagliari: for success, therefore, a last effort is needed, which would thus remove pathos from next week's away match in Naples. The risk, in matches like this (but above all with such a large advantage in the table), is to take the field without the due malice, even if Conte's men have already shown for some time that they know how to avert it perfectly.
“We haven't done anything yet, even if we have restored credibility to Inter – reiterated the Nerazzurri coach -. My experience advises me to take advantage of the present to then talk about something extraordinary in the future, although I would like more emphasis to be given to what the kids are doing. However, now we have to shut up and pedal, we don't make proclamations and we live in the present". Conte however, beyond the declarations of circumstance, knows he has a good advantage and will therefore take advantage of it to make some turnover, beyond the absences of the suspended Barella and the injured Perisic: his 3-5-2 will see Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defense, Darmian, Sensi, Brozovic, Eriksen and Young in midfield, Lukaku and Sanchez in attack. Simple, desperately looking for safety points after Torino's victory in Udine's advance (1-0, now the gap is 5) he will respond with the same game system made up of Vicario between the posts (Cragno is still positive at Covid), Walukiewicz, Godin and Rugani in the backline, Nandez, Marin, Nainggolan, Duncan and Lykogiannis in the midfield, Pavoletti and Joao Pedro as an offensive couple.
Inter, as mentioned at the beginning, wants to postpone Milan to minus 11, after they brought themselves to 8 points by winning in Parma. The Scudetto is not the Rossoneri's goal, if anything, earning a place in the Champions League which seemed obvious and which instead, thanks to the fluctuating results of this 2021, is all to play for. Yesterday's success, in this sense, is very important because it keeps the pursuers at a distance, but also because gives a signal of great compactness. In fact, Milan played two matches: one in attack in the first half, played smoothly and finished 2-0 thanks to goals from Rebic (8') and Kessié (44'), one in defense in the second, complicated first by the 'expulsion of Ibrahimovic (long-distance bickering with the referee Maresca), then from the goal of Gagliolo (66'), which gave Parma breath again before Leao, in full stoppage time, sanctioned the definitive 3-1 on the counterattack (94' ). In both, despite the inevitable differences, the team was able to stay on track, showing that they wanted this victory at all costs.
Of course, having lost Ibrahimovic in this way is not a good thing, above all because of a disqualification that will cause him to miss Genoa and probably also Sassuolo, but we will only think about this from tomorrow, when the satisfaction for the 3 points will give way to preparation for the next race. “I like it when my players reflect our feelings, with Sampdoria we haven't played since Milan and we wanted to demonstrate that we could do better – commented Pioli -. Parma weren't an easy opponent to face, we messed up the match a bit but brought home an important victory. The expulsion of Ibra? I spoke to him and he told me that he absolutely didn't offend the referee, he argued but without disrespect. It is clear that after his expulsion the game has changed but my team has shown that they can fill this gap with a lot of determination and will ”. Today it's up to the pursuers, starting with Juventus, engaged at the Stadium against Genoa. Delicate match that of Turin, not to be mistaken for any reason. The points lost with Benevento and Turin, just to mention the most recent, have already cost the Lady dearly, so persevering even today would be more than diabolical.
However, the bianconeri demonstrated against Napoli that they are still alive and well, which is why it is legitimate to expect a minimum of continuity, otherwise the positive effects of the recovery would risk being nullified. “We lost a lot of points against teams lower than us in the standings, it was our fault, but there are still many up for grabs and we want to finish on a high note – confirmed Pirlo -. Against Napoli I liked the spirit, the attitude and the will, all things that we must also maintain against Genoa. We need to give continuity, we will have to face the match with a fierce desire". Compared to Wednesday there will be some changes, but not in attack: Dybala in fact, despite the goal, should start again from the bench. The Juventus 4-4-2 will be made up of Szczesny in goal, Cuadrado, De Ligt, Chiellini and Danilo in defense, Kulusevski, Arthur, Bentancur and Chiesa in midfield, Morata and Ronaldo in attack. For a Juve forced to win there is a relatively calm Genoa, able to face the challenge without particular pressure with a 3-5-2 that will see Perin in goal, Masiello, Radovanovic and Criscito in the back, Biraschi, Rovella, Badelj, Behrami and Zappacosta in the midfield, Pandev and Scamacca as an offensive duo.
