Mission accomplished! Inter hooks up to the contenders for third place in the standings and sees a company at the door that, just a month ago, seemed like science fiction. Instead it's all true and never mind if, at least until Wednesday, the Nerazzurri are "only" in the Europa League. Yes, because since Napoli, Udinese, Lazio and Inter are all paired up at 55 points, the separate classification comes into play, which is nothing more than the goal difference in direct matches. In short, at the moment Napoli would go to the Champions League, with Udinese and Inter in the Europa League. But in the end there are still three days to go and, calendar in hand, the Nerazzurri will be able to play for third place until 13 May. It won't be easy, also because Parma will be away on Wednesday and a derby on Sunday that promises to be fiery, but this Inter, who we all thought was dead, has already known how to get up. Congratulations to Stramaccioni, capable of restoring the polish to a group that seemed fruity and that instead, by touching the right strings, could still give something. Evidently the former Primavera coach knew how to do it and now Moratti is enjoying the fruits of his work.
THE MATCH
Stramaccioni shuffles the cards and proposes the 4-3-2-1 with which he had already conquered Udine. In midfield, in addition to the untouchable Cambiasso, there is room for Guarin and Obi, who form a hinge for the offensive trident made up of Sneijder, Alvarez and Pazzini. Inter started well and built goals in series: Pazzini, Lucio, Sneijder and Alvarez came close to the net several times, but accuracy was lacking. But Stramaccioni's Inter are known to give their best only if he has to come back and the law is also confirmed with Cesena. At the beginning of the second half, Beretta's men came close to scoring with Iaquinta, who hit the crossbar when Castellazzi beat him, then they found it with Ceccarelli, who signed the sensational 0-1 (57th). San Siro sees the coveted third place slip away, but Obi settles things already two minutes later: the Nigerian's left foot is unrealistic, but Von Bergen's deflection displaces Antonioli. The draw galvanizes Inter, who throw themselves into the Romagna half of the pitch to find the second goal. Stramaccioni inserts Milito in place of a wasteful Pazzini and Zarate in place of a confused Alvarez: this last move proved to be decisive. In the 73rd minute Guarin serves the Argentine, who heads Antonioli: 2-1! Before the final whistle there is still room for Beretta to be sent off, removed by Romeo for repeated protests. The Nerazzurri San Siro rejoices, third place is really one step away.
THE REACTIONS
After so many battles, Stramaccioni sees the Champions League in his sights: “In my opinion this was the most difficult match, because it was the one of the potential engagement. It also happened in Florence that the shot remained in the barrel, Cesena both today and Sunday played a great match, it was difficult, it's a very important victory”. A match that, on paper, seemed obvious, but in reality it wasn't like that: “In the first half we saw Inter as better in terms of quality, we built a lot. In the second half we saw the character of the players, thanks also to the fans who, instead of giving up, supported us and helped us a lot”. Stramaccioni then found the time to joke about his future, which, at this point, is tinged more and more with the Nerazzurri: “We'll see. We have to agree on the engagement. – He said smiling – My 12 agents are negotiating the renewal… ”.
