Il Milan finds goals and victory, theAtalanta it does not give up. The results of the advances are shaking up the race for Europe, awaiting the answers of the competitors: today it will be the turn of Inter e Lazio, tomorrow at Juventus e Roma. The ranking remains short, with the far from secondary variable of sports justice, close to ruling on the black and white capital gains case. In short, 180 minutes from the end anything can happen, moreover with an ever lower margin of error which makes everything even more uncertain and interesting.
Milan - Sampdoria 5-1, Pioli: "A victory that will give us impetus for the final"
Milan had an enormous need to win, both for the table and for morale. He succeeded thanks to a nice performance, however facilitated by one Sampdoria in total disarmament, which allowed the Rossoneri to rediscover goals, showmanship and self-confidence. Performers of the evening Giroud (triplet), Lion (goal, assist and penalty awarded) e Diaz (one goal and two assists), to testify, if there were still any need, that the AC Milan of the starters is one thing, that of the second lines is another. The fear of failing against the blucerchiati lasted exactly the three minutes that elapsed between Quagliarella's goal (20') and Giroud's first (23'), to reaffirm an advantage that seemed to be already on ice after Leao's 1-0 (9'). The ghosts finally vanished in the 29th minute when the Frenchman made it 3-1 from a penalty, after which the match turned into a sort of training session, enhanced however by the 72 crowds at San Siro. Diaz signed the poker game at the beginning of the second half by completing a splendid action on the Leao-Tonali axis (63'), Giroud closed the games with the paw of 5-1 (68'), thus allowing Pioli to start the swirl of changes final.
“It was good to play right away because we had to dispose of the cup disappointment, we played well and this gives us confidence for the last two league games – explained the Rossoneri coach -. We went beyond expectations in the Champions League, but in the league we were too inconsistent. Our limit and not having won many matches against more viable teams, now let's think about Juventus. We want to be competitive both in Italy and in Europe, this year we have succeeded less but I am proud of what we are doing. We will learn more from this season than that of the Scudetto, if we have made mistakes this year – and we have – we will make less of them next year”.
Atalanta - Verona 3-1, Gasperini: "Reaching Europe this year would be truly extraordinary"
Very important victory also for theAtalanta, which beats the Verona comeback and goes to sixth place in the standings, albeit waiting for Rome. It wasn't a walk in the park, because Hellas played it much more than the final result says, moreover risking reopening the game (Sulemana and Gaich's posts) in a final that would have become hot, but the success is deserved and makes the race Europe even more open. Decisive, after the initial advantage of Lazovic (11'), the goals of Zappacosta (22'), Pasalic (53', clamorous duck from Montipò) and Hojlund (62'), thus certifying an important comeback, both from the point of technical and character point of view.
“I really thank the players, having scored 61 points is an extraordinary achievement – Gasperini's analysis -. This season there have been many demands, many perhaps exaggerated goals requested, but this is a team that has always managed to compete with the big names, is in sixth place and we hope to go to Europe. Being able to reach Europe this year would be a higher goal than all the other seasons, I missed it a lot after 5 consecutive years, like the whole environment”.
Naples – Inter (18pm, Dazn)
Having archived the Saturday challenges, it is time to focus on today's ones, with an eye to Napoli v Inter. A match "weakened" by the blue Scudetto, achieved some time ago, yet always fascinating, is staged at the Maradona: after all, they will face the Italian champion team and a Champions League finalist. It is clear that it is the Nerazzurri who have the greatest stimuli, in the light of a Champions League placement still to be conquered (even if very close), but Napoli also has its good reasons to make a good impression. In fact, the full stadium and the recent defeat in Monza should reawaken the Azzurri, although the environment, rather than the pitch, is thinking above all about what is happening outside. Spalletti, beyond the customary denials, has now decided to change the scene and De Laurentiis has already moved meeting personally Thiago Motta, which could arrive from Bologna together with Sartori, in turn Giuntoli's designated heir. In short, the Napoli of the Scudetto are at risk of shedding their skin even before having finished the championship, waiting for a market that could also take away Osimhen and Kim. A decidedly more serene climate at Inter, where the conquest of the Champions League final is still being enjoyed. Some clouds, to tell the truth, came after the League's decision to play the match against Atalanta on Saturday 27 May, just 72 hours before the final of the Italian Cup against Fiorentina, scheduled for Wednesday 24 (it seems have had priority over "logic"), but nothing compared to the joys of the pitch, which are transforming a difficult season into a potentially triumphal one.
Spalletti plays mysterious: "My future has already been decided, now the club has to talk about it"
“I have to repeat the same things already said, it's something the president has to say, I defined everything at that dinner a week ago, I clarified everything – Spalletti replied to those who asked him about his future -. It's all decided, then if you want to keep making water, fire, little fire, keep doing it, but it's all defined by that evening. Without playing games, I'll give you some indications to be able to write fewer inaccuracies, but it's all recorded: there was no need to make any negotiations, I didn't refuse any salary increase, I don't have any clauses to pay. It's not true that I've received offers to coach elsewhere, it's false, it's not true that I'm waiting for other teams. It is wrong to bring the fans into play, it's a society thing, we said it to each other that evening at dinner”.
Naples - Inter, the formations: Spalletti recovers Kvaratskhelia, Inzaghi relaunches Lukaku
In all of this there is a game to be played, which the teams will want to win at all costs, albeit with different objectives. Spalletti, after the maxi-turnover in Monza, will return to re-propose the starting line-up, including that Kvaratskhelia who seemed at risk from a bruise and who instead has fully recovered. The blue 4-3-3 will thus see Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim and Olivera in defense, Anguissa, Lobotka and Zielinski in midfield, Politano, Osimhen and, of course, Kvaratskhelia in attack. A few more rotations for Inter, also because they're there on Wednesday final of the Italian Cup and Inzaghi wants to keep everyone on edge, as well as making those who played against Milan catch their breath. Inzaghi will focus on a 3-5-2 with Handanovic in goal, D'Ambrosio, De Vrij and Acerbi in the back, Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Gagliardini and Gosens in the midfield, Lukaku and Correa as an offensive duo.
Udinese – Lazio (20.45 pm, Dazn)
In the evening the spotlight will move on Udine, Where the Lazio will hunt for valuable points for the Champions. The biancocelesti already seemed sure of being in the top four, but then an important slowdown came (three defeats and a draw in the last five) and the race remained open. The margin over Milan is one point and today's victory would bring him back to four, making the goal really one step away, vice versa a further false step would create many problems, also because it would certify the state of crisis in Lazio. A far from impossible mission, given that Udinese seems to have pulled the plug by now, even if it is fair to remember how the Friulians, within the friendly walls of the Dacia Arena, have already stopped Rome, Inter, Milan and Naples.
Udinese - Lazio, the formations: Sarri focuses on the "owners"
Sottil, fresh from his contract renewal, doesn't want to make a bad impression, but he will have to give up the suspended Becao and deal with Beto's ailments, recovered only for the bench. His 3-5-1-1 will see Silvestri in goal, Masina, Bijol and Perez in defence, Ebosele, Samardzic, Walace, Lovric and Udogie in midfield, Pereyra in the frontline, Nestorovski in attack. All available for Sarri, except for the injured Cataldi: the coach will thus be able to bet on the 4-3-3 of the "star players" with Provedel between the posts, Marusic, Casale, Romagnoli and Hysaj in the back, Milinkovic-Savic, Vecino and Luis Alberto in the midfield, Felipe Anderson, Immobile and Zaccagni in the offensive trident.
