And after the storm…the field. Inter and Napoli return to play after the post-Champions chaos, in search of victories that restore serenity in two environments that are still shaken, albeit for different reasons. In Milan the troubles arose after Conte's words, a real tornado against the club, instead in the blue house we witnessed the largest mass mutiny in memory (at least at high levels), with the whole team saying no to retirement and the consequent legal threat from De Laurentiis. It is therefore logical that Inter-Verona (18 pm) and Napoli-Genoa (20.45) are not just any two matches, but two very important tests above all to understand the mental health of the two big names in question, obviously without forgetting the standings.
“My words were interpreted as an outlet but I said them in a constructive way – specified Conte. – I don't think I was called to Inter to leave everything as it was, I'm here to change something compared to the last nine years where the club has stayed out of the struggles to win. I cannot distort myself: I ask a lot of myself and my staff, because we must seek excellence. Precisely for this reason, however, we cannot be satisfied, I for one, we all have to push and raise the bar. Otherwise the story will always be the same over the years and it would be a shame because I don't like getting by, and I want to make this clear". Basically no backtracking, not even on tones probably too harsh in the light of the results, however more than good, obtained so far.
The "cyclone" Conte is hitting Inter with all his strength, for better or for worse, now it remains to be understood whether the team, in the light of statements which, albeit indirectly, have affected them (attacking the club for the uncompetitive squad means, in fact, to discredit the same), will react positively or not. The match against Verona, in front of the usual great glance at San Siro (65 spectators expected), would seem ideal for a positive response but woe to underestimate Juric's eleven, so far capable of creating problems for all the big names encountered. Conte will then have to do without Sensi again: the midfielder seemed fully recovered and ready to become a starter again, instead a muscle problem will force him into the pits.
The Nerazzurri 3-5-2 will therefore be roughly that of Dortmund, with only Godin and Candreva to rest, therefore Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defence, Lazaro, Barella, Brozovic, Vecino and Biraghi in midfield, Lautaro Martinez and Lukaku in attack. Several training problems also for Juric (out Veloso, Kumbulla, Bocchetti, Bessa and Badu), who will respond with a 3-4-2-1 with Silvestri between the posts, Rrahmani, Dawidowicz and Gunter in the back department, Faraoni, Amrabat, Pessina and Lazovic in the midfield, Zaccagni and Verre behind the lone striker Salcedo. The postponement instead will take place at the San Paolo, where Ancelotti's Napoli receives Thiago Motta's Genoa.
It will be the first time since the mutiny on Tuesday, which, in order, sanctioned the end of the retreat, the quarrel between Allan, Insigne and De Laurentiis junior (vice president), the beginning of the press blackout, the clash between De Laurentiis senior and Ancelotti, the protest of the fans both outside training and around the city with unmistakable banners. In short, a real powder keg, ready to explode in the event of a lack of success against Genoa. The square, for once, seems to have taken the side of ADL, instead targeting the players, who went down in history as spoiled mercenaries. The climate therefore promises to be fiery, which is why the team will have to start strong and try to drag the San Paolo with them, otherwise they risk 90 minutes of hell.
Ancelotti, increasingly on the sidelines of the club, is not doing much better: the disappointing results of recent times weigh above all on him, the rest was done by the anti-retirement stance which, in fact, then legitimized the players to behave as we know. De Laurentiis even thought about dismissal for just cause (and it's not excluded he's still doing it), then he announced measures against the team, which now risks a 5 to 50% cut in monthly salary. In all of this there is a game to play, which is quite important given that Napoli, after the defeat against Roma, slipped to seventh place in the standings.
A victory is urgently needed, without ifs and buts, which Ancelotti will try to achieve with a 4-4-2 that will see Meret (or Ospina) in goal, Di Lorenzo, Maksimovic, Koulibaly and Luperto in defense, Callejon, Zielinski, Elmas and Insigne in midfield, Milik and Lozano in attack. Genoa will try to take advantage of the situation to score very heavy points, with Thiago Motta relying on a 4-2-3-1 with Radu in goal, Ghiglione, Romero, Zapata and Ankersen in the back, Lerager and Schone in the midfield. Pandev, Gumus and Agudelo on the trocar behind the lone striker Pinamonti.
