Milan smiles at the photo finish. Both Milan and Inter inaugurate the new year with victories that are as painful as they are important, both for the purposes of the standings and morale. Failing the matches with Cagliari and Udinese, in fact, would have meant a clear step backwards from all points of view, without ifs and buts. Instead both, in one way or another, have snatched the 3 points and can live a week of great serenity.
It's hard to say if one of the two victories is worth more than the other: the standings would say that Inter had more need for success, but Milan had a game they couldn't miss, otherwise their ambitions would be reduced. The match at San Siro was decided by a goal by Bacca in almost up time (88'), a paw on an assist by Lapadula which gave the Rossoneri 3 points just when hopes were fading on the clock.
A contradictory performance remains: more than good in the first half, disappointing in the second. This time however, unlike what happened with Roma and Atalanta, the right episode turned in favor of Montella's men, more than happy to inaugurate 2017 with a very important victory.
“I still think that Milan dominated – commented the coach. – I saw a lot of positive things even if we didn't shoot much on goal, we had to be faster and unlock the game sooner. It wasn't easy, after all all the teams ahead of us struggled and this can't be a coincidence: the first game of the year is always like this. Berry? It is not flashy but decisive, it has proved it once again and is part of our project”.
Sunday of joy also at Inter, where the fourth consecutive victory is celebrated. However, this one from Udine, compared to those with Genoa, Sassuolo and Lazio, came from behind, testifying that Pioli's group, in addition to technique, has finally also found character. Going behind after a goal by Jankto (17'), the Nerazzurri were in fact able to react and play without losing their heads, despite Udinese showing much more reactivity in the first half.
However, at the end of the first half, just as the oldest law of football states ("missed goal, conceded goal"), Perisic's equalizer put everything back in balance, a flash that changed every scenario and revived the Nerazzurri's ambitions ( 47'). In fact, in the second half Pioli's team managed to grow from a distance and found a very important victory, signed again by Perisic, this time with a header on an assist from Joao Mario (86').
“We are a competitive group, we can play against anyone – the words of the Inter coach. – We still have to improve some situations: we can't get the initial attitude wrong, matches can't always be straightened out. But we grit our teeth, held on and created the right opportunities to win. This is fundamental, this must be the point on which to continue working”.
