Now the ball passes to the Sports Judge. Juventus-Naples, as was already clear on Saturday evening, it is destined to make history not for technical feats but for what happened off the field. Government, Regions, Asl, Figc, Lega Calcio, black and white and blue: all involved in the most striking legal-sporting case since Calciopoli, with the difference that, this time, there is no crime to contest but a championship to save. Yes, because the country's fourth largest industry has returned to reliving the ghosts of last spring, when Covid seriously jeopardized its direct and indirect existence. We're not at that point yet, but an episode, however striking, was certainly enough to remind everyone of the precariousness of a protocol that seemed to be made of iron, but which instead proved to be as fragile as a ceramic vase.
A few hours after the chaos of Saturday the scenario remains bleak, but at least it demonstrated the good faith of both clubs: of Juventus, who by showing up at the Stadium simply complied with the protocol drawn up with the Government, of Naples, blocked by "provisions by State or local Authorities that prevented the smooth running of the match". The passage in quotation marks is not accidental, because it quotes a passage from the FIGC Protocol verbatim, and if that were not enough, here are the press releases from the Naples ASL ("it is believed that the conditions do not allow for safe travel") and the Scientific Technical Committee (" the responsibility of the competent Local Health Authority is reaffirmed”), to reiterate, once and for all, the supremacy of the Regions over any previously stipulated agreement.
Omitting comments on circle botting by the Minister of Sport Spadafora demagoguery of the Minister of Health Speranza ("more school and less football": but what does that have to do with it?), it is better to focus on the positions of Juventus and Napoli, obviously opposed.
“De Laurentiis and I sent each other a message, I replied that Juventus, as always, complies with the regulations – explained the Juventus president -. He wanted to postpone the match, it can also be a legitimate request, but we have rules and regulations that tell us how to behave: if we don't comply with the regulations, it is the first mistake we make, not as sportsmen, but as citizens".
"We couldn't leave – retorted De Laurentiis -. The ASL has taken into consideration the possibility of the derogation provided for by the protocol, but has not given us the go-ahead: you have to postpone the match”.
Now, as mentioned at the beginning of the article, the ball passes to the Sports Judge, who is called to decide what to do on a lawsuit in which, cards in hand, both are right. The 0-3 at the table would be the simplest solution, but this would lead to the inevitable appeal of Napoli, moreover directly to the TAR. On the other hand, the postponement of the match would create a dangerous precedent, which would put the entire championship at risk: how to manage it, in fact, if any local health authority can cancel it?
Sunday of "regular" football instead for the Milanese, albeit with different results. Inter were stopped at 1-1 by Lazio, while Milan beat Spezia with a clear 3-0, thus catching Atalanta at the top with full points. In the big match at the Olimpico, therefore, Conte's Nerazzurri did not go beyond a draw, stopped by a remodeled but proud Lazio. The 1-1 final captures a game divided in two, with Inter doing better in the first part and the biancocelesti in the second. Lautaro Martinez's goal (30') had broken the balance, after which the Argentine himself and Lukaku came close to the 2-0 goal several times: had it arrived, probably, the 3 points would have gone in the direction of Milan, instead Milinkovic- Savic found the equalizer (55') and from there Lazio, albeit in a great emergency (Lotito has great responsibilities for a market that borders on nothing), got back on track, even going so far as to frighten Inter
. "We conceded at our best moment, we were dominating and we'd just had two chances to finish – Conte's comment -. Milinkovic's goal took away our certainties for a few minutes, but then we started playing again and creating dangerous situations: there's satisfaction in coming to the Olimpico and playing with this personality”. The coach therefore chooses to see the glass as half full, but not having won a game like this can be considered a wasted opportunity. For Inzaghi, forced to replace three injured players already in the first half, the opposite is true.
“We came up with a test of great character despite the emergency – he explained the biancoceleste coach -. Unfortunately we can't have everyone available, but I'm convinced that this year too we'll keep everyone entertained”.
Even the Milan of Pioli, now at the 19th consecutive useful result. Sure, the fixtures gave a hand and the Portuguese penalties also helped, but the Rossoneri's journey can't be linked only to luck: the technical project, after years of upheavals, has taken on very precise contours and the results are visible. It shouldn't be forgotten that Milan have had to do without Ibrahimovic, Rebic and Romagnoli throughout this start of the season, however showing a good variety of choices and a remarkable spirit of sacrifice.
Yesterday against Spezia, after a first half with few emotions, the role of the hero was taken by Leao (57, 78'), with a brace who gave away the 3 points to his teammates. In the middle the usual great Hernandez (76'), as well as an increasingly irreplaceable Calhanoglu (he came in and changed the game). Now Maldini, after having welcomed Dalot, will close the market with a central defender (Kabak from Schalke 04 is on pole), but the team is basically made up: the goal is to return to the Champions League after 6 years of absence and the journey, although long, it would seem to be the right one. About the market: Juventus, thanks to the loan of Douglas Costa to Bayern, has practically concluded the purchase of Chiesa. A bombshell, passed over in silence on yet another crazy Sunday of this terrible 2020.
