Inter gives themselves 3 points and a new coach. It's still not official but there are no more doubts: Stefano Pioli will sit on the Nerazzurri bench in the derby on November 20, the first match after the break for the national teams. The announcement, as made known by the company through an official press release, will arrive between today and tomorrow but it is only a formality. Pioli in fact beat the competition from Marcelino and Zola and will sign a contract until 2018, as soon as he has resolved his pending with Lazio. It will be a fiery debut for the former Biancoceleste coach, against a Milan that has 8 points more in the standings and will try to take advantage of the Nerazzurri confusion.
Yesterday even Crotone was managing to emerge unscathed from San Siro: the final 3-0 in fact only matured in the final, just when the match was channeling towards a sensational draw. Then Mauro Icardi took the chair, someone who may not be the ideal captain but who certainly has quality to spare. The Argentinian first served Perisic a splendid assist to make it 1-0 (84'), then he doubled the lead from a penalty he himself procured (88'), finally sealing the 3-0 with a turn under the goal time practically expired (93').
“For me and my staff, the goal was to do well in these races – the commendation of Stefano Vecchi. – We felt flattered by the call, above all we tried to bring enthusiasm. Above all, I want to thank the boys, they have shown themselves to be very responsible. I tell those who come after me that they will find a good group, let's hope the results will come too”. Pioli's ears will also be ringed in the face of Icardi's statements, who blessed the choice by highlighting his preference for an Italian coach.
Successful Sunday also at Milan, where the umpteenth victory of this championship arrived well above expectations. Palermo's 3 points won't go down in history for the game played but they represent a not indifferent test of character, as well as an important viaticum for a really positive ranking. The third place alone, with 3 points ahead of Lazio fourth, represents an incredible goal, moreover achieved in one of the most difficult moments at a corporate level in the last 30 years.
All this was made possible by the success of Barbera, a 2-1 obtained with heart, character and a pinch of luck: the mix that is giving Montella a top championship. “We got off to a great start, lowering Palermo a lot and getting the ball around well: unfortunately, however, after having deservedly found the advantage, we sat down for a bit and we, when we don't show aggression, struggle. But then we reacted, we wanted to win this game and we deserved to do it. I don't know if we're from the Champions League but it's certainly right to dream."
The Rossoneri coach doesn't want to limit himself, on the other hand with this classification it would be absurd to do otherwise. A lot will depend on corporate events, but at the moment the team is concentrated on the field and the results prove it. What positively affects Milan is not so much the game, but the character: yesterday too there was great willpower, especially after Palermo had found a draw.
Yes, because after having unlocked the game in the 15th minute with Suso (favored by Posavec's mistake in the exit), the Rossoneri were joined by Nestorovski, very good at beating Donnarumma with a five-a-side touch after an assist from Diamanti (71 '). The 1-1 seemed to be able to give a further boost to a Palermo hungry for points, instead it gave fuel to Montella's team. Who, to tell the truth, did his best by getting the changes right: those of Poli and Mati Fernandez, all right, but above all that of Lapadula, who entered a quarter of an hour from the end in place of the evanescent Bacca.
The ex Pescara only took 3' to leave his mark: the back-heel with which he beat Posavec was spectacular, a real author's goal to celebrate the first goal in Serie A. The victory gives Milan a another week of praise and serenity: the best encouragement to pass a positive break and better prepare for the derby on 20 November.
