Inter and Roma fly, Milan crashes. The last day before the break confirms the growth in results of the Nerazzurri and Giallorossi (to which Lazio must be added by right) and the crisis of the Rossoneri, already detached in a worrying way from the first-class carriage of the championship.
Paradoxically, however, Montella, a special observer of the San Siro match, comes out a little more strengthened than before: his team still lost but at least they played it evenly, offering a decidedly better performance than those in Genoa and the Europa League .
Of course, time is running out and it is probable that the derby with Inter will mark a point of no return: losing it would mean going within 10 of the cousins, an unacceptable shame for those who, right or wrong, spent 240 million in the club market.
“Montella doesn't have a magic wand and no coach like him – Mirabelli explained – We've changed a lot, it takes some time before we see the results. We just have to hope that the work takes us where we want to go”.
Much milder words than after Genoa, yet the result was the same: 0-2 and everyone went home to deal with another defeat, the third in just seven days.
Until Dzeko's goal (72'), however, Milan had played a decent match, without excelling in anything but without even suffering too much from Di Francesco's Roma. Then here is the play of the champion (propitiated also by a slight but decisive deflection by Romagnoli) and the consequent fall of the curtain, certified by the final paw of Florenzi (77'), good at exploiting a rejected a bit like that by Donnarumma and close each conversation.
"I was much more worried after the defeat in Genoa, this time instead we played on an equal footing - commented Montella - I think the boys can be satisfied with the performance, I am convinced that this is the right path".
For Milan it is a heavy defeat, for Rome it is the opposite: with this one from Milan there are 4 consecutive victories in the championship, an impressive roadmap that allows you to go back to dreaming big.
“We are just behind the others and we gladly stay there – glossed over Di Francesco. – We have to keep our feet on the ground but with the awareness of our strength”.
After the break, the Giallorossi will host Napoli in a big match that will say a lot about the hierarchies of the championship, a bit like the Milan derby. The Rossoneri will show up with water in their throats, Inter on the other hand with the ambition of being able to even launch themselves in the Scudetto key. In fact, the ranking is clear: Spalletti's Nerazzurri are second together with Juventus, moreover with the best defense in the championship.
The 3 goals conceded, however, do not go well with the performance of a team that, to date, continues to not fully convince: even in Benevento, in fact, the management of the match has not been in step with the numbers and results collected so far. The afternoon at Vigorito had started very well and the two goals scored by Brozovic in less than half an hour (19' and 22') foreshadowed a quiet victory, not to mention bombastic.
But then came the usual ghosts, with the hosts reopening the match (D'Alessandro in the 42nd minute) and scaring Spalletti with the crossbar (Memushaj) and the post (D'Alessandro again): too many risks against a Benevento team which, until yesterday, he had scored just one goal in the whole championship.
“Everything we have achieved so far is deserved – replied the Nerazzurri coach – This increases the team's self-esteem and mentality, we must be proud of what has been done so far. It's good up there, but now we need to learn to avoid voltage drops".
In this sense, the return derby should help: in fact, it is difficult for Inter to face him without the right emotional charge. Two weeks to reflect and prepare, then it will be a day of direct clashes: still early to have definitive sentences, but certain that the clues will be many and also rather indicative.
