Victories, goals and many smiles. Festive Sunday for Napoli, Inter and Milan, who thus close the pre-break round with heavy points, indeed very heavy, in a Champions League key. Yes, because at the moment the goal of all three is this, albeit with the necessary distinctions. In fact, Ancelotti's team could also aspire to something more were it not for the fact that Juve, this Juve, does not seem to know limits, in any case what matters most is to stay on the train and this is why beating Sassuolo was almost fundamental.
The 2-0 at San Paolo allows Napoli to remain within 6 of the leaders and this, while waiting (or rather, in the hope) of a slowdown, still keeps them in the race, as well as in second place alone. Protagonist, once again, Insigne, able to affect even without playing from the start. In fact, Ancelotti's turnover did not spare him either and the result was even astonishing: his substitute Ounas immediately found the game-changing goal (3') and he, who came on in the second half, found the 2-0 with a right-footed shot. like Del Piero” (72').
“They all played because they deserve it, I'm not crazy to rotate so many – commented Ancelotti – I do it because I see professional players who give me guarantees. Scudetto? We don't race against anyone, we try to hold on, but we think about improving our performance to be competitive right up to the end".
Exactly what Spalletti's Inter wants, now very fast towards the most noble positions in the standings. Ferrara's victory is the sixth in a row between the championship and the Champions League, a very important roadmap that is worth third place just two points behind Naples, not bad for those who, just three weeks ago, were floundering in the sea of crisis.
But then the key players woke up, above all Icardi: yesterday too, against an excellent Spal, it was he who broke the balance and directed the match. First a header with a lucky and decisive deviation from Djorou (14'), then a paw on an assist from Perisic in the final match (78'), just when Paloschi's goal (72') seemed to have fixed it on the result of 1 -1. Much regret for a beautiful and wasteful Spal (Antenucci missed a penalty in the 18th minute) and consequent joy for Inter, who have now become a cynical and mature team.
“When the match returned to a draw, there was a reaction for the three points – Spalletti's enthusiastic words – This is a characteristic that few have and my team didn't have, but now they do. And it's very important."
Gradually Gattuso's Milan is also finding continuity and, consequently, an ever better ranking. Of course, looking at it today, the Champions League area is far away but the game to recover against Genoa would allow it to be grabbed, thus definitively ending criticisms and controversies. That October 31st is still far away and before that there will be rather delicate battles (derby above all), in the meantime however Gattuso, by beating Chievo, has achieved his third victory in a week and thus given a nice strengthening to his bench.
Just 10 days ago there was even talk of an exemption, but today we are enjoying the 3-1 win at San Siro, the second in a row after Thursday's against Olimpiacos. At the time Cutrone was decisive, yesterday instead Higuain took the whole scene: his brace (27' and 34', assist from Suso) directed the 3 points towards Via Aldo Rossi and gave the Rossoneri people a peaceful second half. “shaken” only by the fine goals from Bonaventura (56') and Pellissier (63').
“This team has always played good football, they always want to play – Gattuso's analysis – Before we weren't in crisis but we couldn't close them. Higuain? He is a champion who manages to finalize, he is a boy who has made himself available to the group, he is demanding but he is loved ”.
Now a weekend break, after which it will start again with a bang: the Milan derby, in fact, will catalyze the attention of the whole championship. And the puzzle relating to the Champions area will add decidedly important pieces.
