Napoli and Juventus respond, and how if I respond. While waiting for the super challenge on Friday, the Azzurri and Bianconeri did their duty and returned to their respective positions, as if to give each other a signal in view of the direct confrontation. The next round, therefore, will pit the two main contenders for the Scudetto against each other, with Inter as an interested spectator in an attempt to be rude to both. Sarri's team will be able to compete as leaders, thanks to an important victory on the pitch of a Udinese team reinvigorated by the arrival of Oddo, but not enough to stop a team that is now great from all points of view.
In fact, Napoli won when they grew up: lack of brilliance, legs weighed down by the Champions League, and yet maximum results with minimum effort. It was a goal from Jorginho that decided (33', penalty missed and then repeated on the net), then little stuff, at least compared to usual. In fact, the Azzurri have got everyone used to winning by putting on a show, but now they've learned to do it even when they're not at their best, just like those who want to win the Scudetto are concerned.
“It was a dirty match, in the past years we would have gone into trouble – admitted Sarri. – We have improved a lot in this, we have exceeded a limit that had held us back several times. Now we'll play it against Juve, we'll give everything but woe to think it could be decisive, there are seven months left at the end of the championship...".
A concept also shared by the parts of Turin, where nobody wants to talk about the Scudetto challenge. However, the importance of the match is known to all, especially with a Juve lingered in the standings and forced to win, or at least not to lose, in order not to find themselves too far from the top of the standings. The success against Crotone allows at least to leave the distances unchanged and to face the week that will take the Lady to the San Paolo with greater serenity: any other result, in fact, would have created enormous problems for the Allegri gang.
“Two teams fighting for the title will face each other but the season is still long – commented the coach. – So far we have done excellent things, they have even done extraordinary things, but it is not the few points that divide us that make the difference. What will really count will be in May, not now, but we certainly mustn't lose ground and stay as close to the top as possible".
Mission accomplished, at least according to yesterday. The 3-0 win over Crotone made an evening that began with so much pressure enjoyable, but also with the awareness of being too much stronger than the opponent not to win. The wall of the Calabrians held up for just over a time, then the black and white excessive power got the better of it and the balance was broken for good.
Mandzukic took care of breaking the impasse with a great header on an assist from Barzagli (52'), then, a few minutes later, De Sciglio's torpedo to sign the 2-0 (60'). The third goal was scored by Benatia (71') and the match went on file without any other jolts, in perfect harmony with what were the forecasts on the eve. On Friday at the San Paolo the tension will be decidedly different, just like in a Scudetto challenge. Because even if no one admits it, the stakes are heavy ones, capable, perhaps, of determining much more than the simple 3 points.
