The big break. Milan's ko in Florence pays off Inter-Napoli (at 18) even more lively than it already was and the same goes for both: the Azzurri could take the lead on their own, the Nerazzurri move within 4 of the top and return to all intents and purposes in the Scudetto race. In short, pressure is equally divided, even if perhaps Inter are playing the most. Inzaghi is behind in the standings due to never having won a direct match: in the 4 games played so far, in fact, he has obtained 3 draws (Atalanta, Juventus and Milan) and one defeat (Lazio, 2 if we also consider the one against Real Madrid in the Champions League). A taboo that must be dispelled, otherwise the defense of the title will become almost impossible.
“Milan and Napoli are keeping pace that hasn't been seen in Italy for forty years – he sighed the Nerazzurri coach – Against Atalanta, Juve and Milan we deserved more instead three draws arrived, but we certainly have to do better in direct matches starting from this one. It's a very important match just like the derby was, courage and motivation will make the difference, knowing that we will face an excellent team”.
Even on the blue front, despite a better classification, there is however the awareness of being at a crossroads. Winning, in addition to cutting Inter out, would send a very strong message to the whole championship, as well as a gigantic dose of self-esteem for the whole environment. The only question mark on Napoli, in fact, concerns direct clashes, given that so far, thanks to the calendar, they have only played two with Juventus and Roma, collecting one win and one draw.
Now however, between now and Christmas, he will face Inter, Lazio, Atalanta and Milan, completing a cycle that will give answers, in one sense or another. For Spalletti then this is an important match regardless, given that he finds his former team with which he certainly did not leave well: the two fourth places were not enough to convince Marotta, who gave him the sack in favor of Conte.
"I never said that the merits of Inter's Scudetto were mine too, some of my statements have been misrepresented," he pointed out. the blue coach – When I leave a club I look if I have left the best accounts and if I have won a few games, I concentrate on my work and not on that of others. Then it's clear that this won't be a normal race for me, but we just have to think about the field: it will be important, even if there's nothing definitive yet”.
It is difficult to say who is the favorite or to make any predictions, especially as the games after the break are always affected by injuries. Inzaghi, for example, has lost De Vrij and Sanchez, he also has to deal with the non-optimal conditions of Dzeko, destined for the bench to recover his form in view of the Champions League. The Nerazzurri 3-5-2 will thus see Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, Ranocchia and Bastoni in defence, Darmian, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu and Perisic in midfield, Correa and Lautaro in attack.
Only one absent instead for Spalletti, who will have to give up Politano, who tested positive for Covid during the last swab. The blue 4-3-3, therefore, will be made up of Ospina in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly and Mario Rui in the back, Anguissa, Fabian Ruiz and Zielinski in the midfield, Elmas (slightly favorite over Lozano), Osimhen and Insigne in the offensive trident.
Once the match at San Siro is over, it will be time to move on to the Marassi, where the Genoa of Shevchenko will receive the Roma by Mourinho (20.45 pm). Here too there are many themes, starting with the absolutely unprecedented confrontation between the two coaches, not exactly friends. Yes, because in the now distant 2006 the then Ukrainian striker was bought by Mourinho's Chelsea, with far from brilliant results, so much so that Sheva himself pointed to the Special One as the main reason for his English failure.
“We need to see if what they say is true, or if we have a good relationship – he glossed over the Giallorossi coach – I'm not saying this will be a game we'll play in the dark, but certainly facing a team with a new coach always creates difficulties. Unfortunately we have many unavailable, we will have to find a puzzle that allows us to do well and score points".
Mourinho's problems actually go far beyond his personal relationship with Sheva. The pre-stop results had been very disappointing and the climate, despite the reassurances of Friedkin and the banners of the Curva Sud, remains hot. The Special One then has to deal with the absences of Cristante and Villar, both of whom tested positive for Covid, which add up to those of Vina, Calafiori and the usual Spinazzola.
In any case, the tactical turning point of abandoning the 4-2-3-1 to switch to 3-4-1-2 now seems to have been decided, pace of Zaniolo (who however remains on the ballot) and Mkhitaryan, so the spaces are are definitely reduced. However, Mou will continue on his way by focusing on Rui Patricio in goal, Kumbulla, Mancini and Ibanez in defense, Karsdorp, Veretout, Darboe and El Shaarawy in midfield, Pellegrini in the trocar, Shomurodov and Abraham in attack.
Same game system also for the first Genoa of Shevchenko (but also of Zangrillo president), who will try to make up for the absences of Criscito, Destro and Caicedo with Sirigu between the posts, Biraschi, Vasquez and Masiello in the back department, Cambiaso, Badelj, Rovella and Sturaro in the midfield, Galdames behind the offensive duo made up of Pandev and Ekuban.
