Queen of the championship, at least for one night. Inter wins the advance against Sampdoria and takes the lead of the standings with 26 points, albeit waiting for Napoli to make their move on the Genoa field. The 3-2 at San Siro certifies various data, obviously largely positive: above all the maintenance of the unbeaten run (8 wins and 2 draws), the confirmation of the usual Icardi (11 goals scored in 10 games), a game that at least one hour it was downright overflowing.
But then the usual drop in tension already seen in other circumstances, which risked reopening a largely dominated yet never really closed race. The feeling therefore remains that the work in progress has not yet been completed but certainly the first balance sheet of the Spalletti era is ultra-positive, so much so that in Corso Vittorio Emanuele they begin to savor the idea of a championship at the top, just like in the years of 'gold.
"I'm very happy with the performance and the win - commented the Nerazzurri coach - We feared this match, they're trained very well and we were a bit tired: the important thing was to bring it home and we did it deservedly".
The first 69' of the match were spectacular, the best since the start of the season. Short, organized team, in "ball" in singles as never before: the result was a 3-0 in less than an hour (18' Skriniar, 32' and 54' Icardi) and the beauty of three hit woodwork, for once not in favor (crazy Perisic from 45 meters!).
But then, perhaps due to excessive relaxation, Inter gave Sampdoria the goal that reopened everything (59' Kownacki) and from there the balance changed, so much so that Giampaolo's team first found the 3-2 with Quagliarella (85') and then created a couple of potential chances even to equalize. It would have been decidedly too much but Spalletti won't miss the alarm bell: this Inter can remain at the top but only if concentration is always maximum.
Tonight it will be the turn of Juventus and Napoli, who are forced to win in order not to let the Nerazzurri escape in the standings. Relatively easy shifts, at least on paper, for both, with a preference for the black and whites, given that the blues will still have to face the Marassi field. At a rough guess, there shouldn't be any surprises but the championships, as history teaches, pass through stages like these, to be faced with the right head and without presumption of any kind.
“These are three points equal to those of last week or next week – Allegri's analysis – We have to have respect for Spal, an organized team that plays good football and defends well. We'll have to play a serious game, also because we're the ones who have to chase after ”.
A match to win, therefore, without giving up the wonderful opportunity to make a lot of turnover. As expected in non-cartel matches, the Juventus coach will rotate several men, without however renouncing the classic 4-2-3-1. In goal, to begin with, it will be Szczesny's turn, in defense space for Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Rugani and Asamoah, in midfield the duo Bentancur-Khedira, on the three-quarter trio Bernardeschi-Dybala-Douglas Costa, in attack Higuain, indispensable also by virtue of disqualification of Mandzukic.
Desperate undertaking that of Semplici, who will try with a 3-5-2 with Gomis between the posts, Oikonomou, Vicari and Felipe in the back department, Lazzari, Schiavon, Viviani, Rizzo and Costa in the middle, Antenucci and Borriello in attack. Certainly a more insidious match for Napoli, who will face Juric's Genoa in Marassi, reassured by the 4 points collected in the last 2 games which have raised the standings and morale.
In any case Sarri, fresh from a goalless draw against Inter, absolutely wants to get back to scoring and winning and to do so he's ready to deploy all the heavy paraphernalia. The turnover will be light as always and will not affect the attack, confirmed en bloc despite numerous close engagements. So at Marassi we will see the classic 4-3-3 with Reina in goal, Hysaj, Chiriches, Koulibaly and Ghoulam in defense, Allan, Diawara and Hamsik in midfield to support the offensive trident Callejon-Mertens-Insigne.
Battle Genoa for Juric, who after stopping Milan will try to do the same with Napoli relying on a 3-5-2 with Perin between the posts, Izzo, Rossettini and Zukanovic in the back, Rosi, Veloso, Omeonga, Rigoni and Laxalt in midfield, Pandev and Lapadula in attack.
