Countdown. The time is coming for Inter to celebrate a well-deserved Scudetto, in fact already won with a sensational second round (12 wins and 2 draws in 14 games), yet mathematically not yet conquered. 4 points are missing from the appeal, 3 if Atalanta does not go beyond the draw in tomorrow's match against Sassuolo: in this case Conte and his team would find themselves celebrating in front of the TV, provided they first did their duty in Crotone (18pm). Obviously, today's match sees the Nerazzurri super favourites, provided however that the Calabrians are not underestimated: last in the standings and practically relegated, okay, but already capable of creating some pitfalls for more highly rated teams, even if only to get rid of the whim . “We'll have to play for Inter, we can't afford surprises – confirmed Conte in the press conference -. Maximum respect for Crotone, will be motivated to demonstrate that he deserves to stay in Serie A, I told the boys, I hope they understand. We have to be good at managing the wait and I think we are doing it, we want to get to port as soon as possible”.
Only then will there be a way to think about the future, which is by no means obvious: the coach will in fact want precise guarantees, otherwise he will say goodbye, obviously as a winner. Steven Zhang, who has returned to Milan after 7 months of absence, will take care of it soon, as soon as the loan from Bain Capital (250 million) has been formalised, in the meantime, however, he is preparing to celebrate the Scudetto, the first under his management. The moment is decisive and must be faced with maximum concentration, regardless of the opponent's strength. Conte will obviously rely on the 3-5-2 type with Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defense, Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Sensi and Darmian in midfield, Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez in attack. The same game system also for Cosmi, who in the event of a defeat will mathematically say goodbye to Serie A: an eventuality that, by now, is no longer questioned by anyone, but which the coach will still try to avoid with Cordaz between the posts, Djidji, Golemic and Magallan in the backline, Molina, Messias, Cigarini, Zanellato and Reca in the midfield, Ounas and Simy as an offensive duo. The most delicate challenge this Saturday, however, will be played at San Siro, where Pioli's Milan will receive Inzaghi's Benevento (20.45 pm).
There are very heavy points up for grabs for both: the Rossoneri must win in order not to miss the Champions League train, the Campanians must win. In common, net of the obvious technical differences, there is also the difficult moment, which sees the teams in a decidedly negative trend, which has complicated two very good classifications for almost the whole season and now, however, very worrying ones. “It's right to discuss it, we're having a less positive second round than the first leg – confirmed Pioli -. Surely it is necessary to be more compact, more determined, we are conceding a few goals too many and we are scoring less than we could. We should be more concentrated and mean, this is definitely a goal, especially for the match against Benevento”. Yes, also because next Sunday there will be the super challenge in Turin with Juventus and getting there with a false step, yet another in this second leg, would be really harmful. Compared to the last defeats against Sassuolo and Lazio, however, there is a big news, namely the return to the field of Ibrahimovic: his absence has been felt a lot and Pioli hopes that now things can change. Moreover, not qualifying for the next Champions League would call the whole project into question, starting with the coach, passing through contract renewals and the buy-backs of the various loans.
“I've always had the support of the owners, but I train a big club, which has high expectations – continued the Rossoneri coach -. The goal is to bring results up to par, now I'm focused only on the next five games, then we'll do the math at the end". For a Ibra returning however, there are two owners in doubt: Kjaer and Calabria, in fact, are affected and will only be evaluated in the morning. Pioli hopes to recover them, otherwise it will be up to Tomori (the initial plan was to leave him on the bench) and Dalot. In any case, it will be 4-2-3-1 with Donnarumma in goal, Calabria (or Dalot), Kjaer (or Tomori), Romagnoli and Hernandez in defense, Kessié and Bennacer in midfield, Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu and Rebic in the frontline, Ibrahimovic in attack. The usual 4-3-2-1 instead for Inzaghi, who will respond with Montipò between the posts, Depaoli, Glik, Caldirola and Barba and in the back department, Dabo, Viola and Ionita in the midfield, Iago Falque and Improta behind Lapadula.
