Napoli postpones the Juve party, Inter secures third place. It was supposed to be a weekend of verdicts, but that wasn't the case: the Scudetto is postponed for at least a week and not only because of the Bianconeri. If the defeat in Ferrara, in fact, accounted for a good 80% of the reasons, the remaining 20 is due to Ancelotti's Azzurri, good at winning in Verona and thus preventing the Lady from celebrating the title on the couch.
But the heaviest success on Sunday is undoubtedly that of Inter, capable of clearing Frosinone and thus moving to +6 on fifth-placed Roma, even if the gap could be reduced by one point if Atalanta beat Empoli in today's postponement (20.30 pm). Spalletti had asked his team to win to prevent next Saturday's clash with the Giallorossi from turning into a dangerous inside or outside match and was satisfied with a good performance, in which his players showed clear superiority over the opponent.
It is also significant that one of the major protagonists was that Nainggolan wanted at all costs, and returned to condition precisely at the decisive moment, in which the points weigh twice as much. The Ninja unlocked the Stirpe match with a good header in the 19th minute, after which he alternated sword and foil, proving that he was finally back to the levels of his Roma past.
But Inter's victory can't be explained by Nainggolan alone but by a good team performance, in which only a quarter of an hour of difficulty (however managed quite well) meant that the result remained in the balance until the end. After the aforementioned 1-0, in fact, Perisic's doubling had also arrived, cold in capitalizing on a penalty obtained by Skriniar (foul by Chibsah) and thus sending his teammates to rest on a reassuring 0-2 (37 ') .
Upon returning, however, Frosinone found the sudden play to reopen the game (62', Cassata's right-footed shot from distance where Handanovic, to tell the truth, could have done better) and Inter, as often happened during the season, he saw all his certainties shake. But Baroni's men, with the exception of a header from Ariaudo and a free-kick just wide from Ciano, were unable to give effectiveness to their pressure and so the Nerazzurri could best counterattack with counterattacks, to date, perhaps, the their best weapon. On one of these Icardi and Vecino scored the 3-1 goal and Spalletti was thus able to celebrate a very important victory, perhaps decisive for the purposes of qualifying for the Champions League.
"We've had a heavy success and shown everyone that we're a serious team - commented the Nerazzurri coach with satisfaction - In moments when the others get upset, you have to be mean and put a stamp on the match, instead we become more affected , therefore it is right that the result remained in the balance. We had to keep the gap after the victories of the others, allusions were made throughout the week, I said that the accounts are done after all. But you want to take the conversation wherever you like...".
The reference, by no means accidental, is to the rumors about Conte that have been repeated for several days and which, given their foundation (the meeting took place, and how if there was), will continue even after this victory. in the meantime, however, Spalletti has given a positive answer and can enjoy a week of (relative) tranquillity.
The one that, on the other hand, Ancelotti will not have, despite the 3 points collected at Chievo's home since yesterday officially in B: the imminent return of the Europa League with Arsenal requires eyes wide open and tension at the right point, otherwise the comeback, already prohibitive of its own, it will remain only a dream. In any case, winning in Verona was fundamental for a whole series of reasons, not least of which was postponing Juve's Scudetto party and forcing them to play a "real" match against Fiorentina. Mission accomplished thanks to a brace from Koulibaly (15' and 81') and Milik's 20th goal of the season (64'), while Cesar's bitter goal (90') was only worth it for the scoresheet.
“It's a victory that takes some weight off us, we played with dedication but also with a lot of tension – commented Ancelotti – Milik's doubling unlocked a bit of everything, this success will help us to better prepare for the match with Arsenal. It is important to stick together and I repeat that this is a very healthy group that has gone through a complicated moment. Against Arsenal I expect a great help from San Paolo, we will try with all our strength”.
Appointment for Thursday, when Carlo will try to give Naples a European comeback which, probably, would shake up a much flatter season than the current second place suggests.
