One runs, the other limps. Napoli and Inter continue the race for third place, albeit with drastically opposite results. Benitez's Azzurri fly, who after Rome and Young Boys also beat Fiorentina, the Nerazzurri still stumble, unable to defeat Verona and now grappling with an endless crisis. "The right path is to think about one game at a time" the Napoli coach glossed over to those who asked him to set a goal, but it is clear that, with these results, it becomes difficult to hide. The Azzurri sealed a perfect week by conquering Florence, a performance of great character which reaffirmed the great qualities of the team.
Once again, Gonzalo Higuain was decisive, always on goal in the last four games. All heavy goals from Pipita, a thoroughbred striker capable of dragging the team to third place after a difficult start. Now Napoli is alone on the podium, plus 4 on Milan and minus 7 on Juventus: the road to the top is long, but not impossible. “We are only thinking about doing well against Cagliari – warned Benitez. – We are growing and we are improving the defensive phase, I must say that I am satisfied”.
Who, on the other hand, shows no sign of growth is Walter Mazzarri's Inter, blocked at home by Mandorlini's Verona. Immediately below due to yet another defensive error, immediately exploited by the stainless Toni (10 '), the nerazzurri had however found the strength to react, despite a rather hostile San Siro. It is no coincidence that Icardi, immediately after the equalizing goal (18'), put his finger to his mouth to silence the boos, a concept clearly reiterated even at the press conference. “It's like playing away – explained the Argentine. – Things don't go as we would like but it would be nice to have the public on our side, but that's not the case. We accept the boos but they are annoying”.
Strong words, however justified by an optimal performance. Maurito's always does it and the negative results are certainly not his fault. After the 1-1 goal, the attacker gave Inter the lead (48'), putting a match that seemed capable of giving satisfaction downhill. Instead, once again, Mazzarri's team couldn't handle the result, despite a great Handanovic. The Slovenian goalkeeper saved Toni's penalty (Medel sent off for a second yellow card), thanked heaven for a Christodoulopoulos cross but had to surrender to Nico Lopez, whose low shot was uncatchable. Thus it ended 2-2, under the now usual shower of boos at the San Siro.
“We always pay dearly for oversights – Mazzarri's analysis. – Too bad, if we had made the ball run better we would have brought home the victory. It's normal that there is disappointment, in this period all the episodes are filming badly”. Now it will be time to rest, blessed by the Nerazzurri coach. In two weeks, however, he will recover with the derby, an infallible appointment for both Milan teams. Who knows if the break, as well as a little rest, won't also bring advice to Inzaghi and Mazzarri…
