The first round ends with a "no contest" which makes the others happy above all. Juventus, which in the event of today's victory over Lazio could even go +11 over Napoli, the two Romans, whose fate (especially that of Roma) is no longer linked to that of Milan. Because the 0-0 draw at San Siro between the Rossoneri and the Azzurri, in addition to further warming spirits in view of Tuesday's match-encore in the Italian Cup, risks becoming an assist for all the competitors to achieve their respective goals, albeit with the necessary distinctions.
If Ancelotti's team, in fact, can't go home happy for this point, Gattuso's can smile for having stopped a surely superior opponent, as well as getting rid of a tricky round for everyone. Because if that's true today Rome, Lazio and Atalanta could take advantage of the situation, it is also that all of them will have very difficult matches. In short, to understand the real implications of this Milan-Naples we will necessarily have to wait for today's results, but in the meantime we can analyze a much more balanced game than what the standings say, between two teams that faced each other with many tactics and a fear of losing above the will to win.
Of course, there were opportunities, on both sides, but in general there was the feeling that a draw, after all, was the lesser evil. Having said that, an intense and fought match from the first to the last minute was seen at San Siro, with a Napoli taking the ultra-attacking field (Insigne, Milik, Mertens, Callejon, Zielinski and Fabian Ruiz all from the first minute) and a Milan a little more shrewd, with Paquetà and Cutrone on the pitch and new signing Piatek on the bench. The Pole had to wait 71' to make his debut and his (short) match was still liked for his attitude and movements, testifying that desire often makes the difference more than technique (right Higuain?).
Napoli (in 10 in the final due to the expulsion of Fabian Ruiz, to which was added that of Ancelotti) had many potential chances but none sensational, Milan created fewer but that of Musacchio in the 78th minute did not it turned into a goal only thanks to a super Ospina. “We gave away the first half, but in the second half we tried to win but we were a bit imprecise – Ancelotti's analysis. – The expulsion of Fabian Ruiz made me angry, I said a bad word and the referee kicked me out. Patience, we tried to win but we didn't succeed ”.
“We played very well in the first half, but tiredness set in in the second – replied Gattuso. – We had our chances, I also liked the performance because we mustn't forget that we were up against a high-level opponent".
Filed the advance of San Siro, the Milan of football moves to Turin, where Spalletti's Inter will visit Mazzarri's Bull (18pm). An insidious match for the Nerazzurri, called to cancel the misstep against Sassuolo at the home of an always difficult opponent. Spalletti, who was beaten by Mazzarri last season, knows that an important match will be needed from his side, otherwise the appointment with the victory risks being missed again. “Toro is a very important team from a physical point of view – explained the Nerazzurri coach. – We'll have to know how to fight like them and put something more in terms of quality, we'll see if we can keep them away from our area".
He too, like all Serie A coaches, experienced a disturbed eve from the market, in this case from the Perisic case. From England they raise the rumor of an exchange with Arsenal which would concern Ozil, Spalletti, for his part, limits himself to making the best of a bad situation. “Ivan is an important player, it's normal to talk about him – she confirmed. – He is liked by several clubs but certain reasoning must be supported by the figures… Now, however, I expect him to give us something more and continue to behave like a professional ”. Translated: if the right offer arrives, it can leave, while waiting it is time to get busy.
For the rest of the formation confirmed, therefore 4-2-3-1 with Handanovic in goal, D'Ambrosio, Skriniar, De Vrij and Asamoah in defense, Brozovic and Vecino in midfield, Politano, Joao Mario and Perisic behind the lone striker Icardi. 3-5-2 instead of ordinance eg
