Milan are back in the European zone, Inter want to get back there as soon as possible. Sunday in the championship sees Pioli's Nerazzurri (but also Atalanta and Lazio) forced to win in Cagliari (15pm) in order not to be overtaken by their Rossoneri cousins, momentarily in sixth place after last night's 3-1 draw at Chievo. Three fundamental points for Montella's men, bogged down for a long time in a draw situation which would have greatly complicated the race for the Europa League. “The match was uphill but always under control – the analysis of the Milan coach. – We could have gone ahead already at the end of the first half, I'm not saying we dominated the opponent because Chievo put us in difficulty, but I think the victory is deserved”. The undisputed protagonist, for better or for worse, was Carlos Bacca: his brace was decisive for the result, his was also the penalty missed at the end of the first half which made life quite complicated for his teammates. In any case, the Colombian's balance ends positively: his two goals (24 'and 70') first allowed the match to be unblocked, then to remove the specter of a draw. In fact, after the 1-0 Chievo had found a 1-1 with De Guzman, launched on the penalty spot by a rather generous decision by referee Maresca (42').
But then Bacca, after having missed several occasions (above all, precisely, the penalty at the end of the first half), was able to find the paw of the 2-1, to then enjoy the goal of the final 3-1 signed by Lapadula from the bench (82', another penalty). A success that brings the Rossoneri to 50 points, 2 more than Pioli's Inter, not surprisingly called to answer in Cagliari. “When you chase, they are all key matches – glossed over the Nerazzurri coach. – We have to transform last Sunday's disappointment into determination, our goal is third place and it mustn't change as long as there are chances of hitting it. The rumors about my future? It is inevitable that there are but they don't take away my serenity at all ". Yesterday's victory for Napoli, however, complicates dreams of glory a lot, all the more reason to conquer Cagliari and at least stay in the wake of their rivals. Pioli will confirm the 3-4-2-1 formation of the last few weeks with Handanovic in goal, Murillo, Medel and Miranda in defence, Candreva, Gagliardini, Kondogbia and D'Ambrosio in midfield, Banega and Perisic behind lone striker Icardi. Rastelli will respond with a 4-3-2-1 that will see Gabriel between the posts, Isla, Pisacane, Bruno Alves and Murru in the back, Dessena, Barella and Ionita in the midfield, Joao Pedro and Sau supporting Borriello.
