Toro ruins the party but Juve smiles all the same. This is the paradox of a derby that will prevent them from winning the Scudetto already today (even if Roma were defeated, Napoli would have 8 points) but which still sees the Bianconeri throwing their arms in the sky, almost incredulous at having avoided the fifth defeat in the championship (the first at home) after time was practically up. To counterbalance, in fact, there is a Turin that leaves the Stadium with a result for which he would have signed on the eve of and which instead ends up disappointing him: when you take the draw with 2' from the end you can never be happy. The cover man of the derby is definitely Higuain, author of a goal that makes an already rather satisfying week stratospheric. Brace against Monaco in the Champions League and decisive goal against Toro, moreover coming on from the bench: if someone wanted a signal from Pipita he was definitely satisfied. Gonzalo was a positive protagonist, the referee Valeri and Mihajlovic on the other hand didn't: the first for having mistakenly sent off Acquah, the second for an excessive and therefore unjustifiable reaction, so much so that he risked having finished his championship here. “I'm sorry for this but the mistake was very serious – commented Sinisa. – That red card distorted the match, it wasn't a foul and it didn't take long to see it. For this reason, despite the regret of conceding a goal in the 92nd minute, a draw is worth as much as a victory”. Let's say it right away: the 1-1 draw is only valid for chronological reasons, certainly not for the game and the chances created. Looking at it from the other point of view, in fact, the result is even close to Juve, for an incredibly wasteful evening in front of goal. Already in the first half, the Bianconeri pardoned Hart several times and ended up paying at the start of the second half when Ljiaic, amidst general disbelief, left Neto stunned with a splendid free-kick (52').
But the grenade joy didn't last long: in the 57th minute Acquah, already booked, came on for Mandzukic and Valeri took out his second card. A wrong decision, slow motion in hand: the Ghanaian took the ball first and therefore the foul does not exist. Correct expulsion instead that of Mihajlovic, who literally threw himself against the fourth official and was carried away with difficulty by some members of the staff: sure disqualification, how long we will see. Down by one goal and with one man more Allegri, disavowing the initial choices, decided to rely on the very titular players, progressively inserting Higuain, Pjanic and Alex Sandro, in an attempt to resume a match that got out of hand. Moves that didn't bear fruit until the 92nd minute when Pipita, like a true champion, slipped Hart from distance with a right footed shot into the corner. “We've created a lot but we've been too frantic – Allegri's analysis. – I'm still happy, this is a point that brings us closer to the finish line. Before this match we were 4 away, now there are 3, but now we have to remain calm, not be in a hurry and recover our energy for Monaco". A Saturday of smiles also for Napoli, who grab second place in the standings at the expense of Roma, albeit awaiting the postponement of the San Siro. Practice archived without too many problems that of the San Paolo: Rastelli's Cagliari is too fragile (and demotivated) to worry the Sarri gang. Azzurri already ahead after just 2' with Mertens, who then completed his birthday party at the start of the second half with another goal (49'). Pure academy that of Napoli, enhanced by the goal of Insigne (67 ') and just stained by the final point of Farias (92'), useful only for scores, bets and fantasy football. Second place, on the other hand, is a lot of stuff, although still tied to Roma's results. “We played a top-level match – Sarri's words. – We were good from a qualitative point of view even if we gave away a goal, so there is still room for improvement. I thank the fans for the banners (“Sarri Ballon d'Or”, ed), they always make me feel important”.
