The overtaking is done. Milan victorious over Palermo overtook Inter defeated in Crotone, thus moving 2 points above the standings and completely reshuffling the race for the Europa League. With the defeat of Lazio and the draw of Atalanta on Saturday, there are 4 teams in 5 points and to these, perhaps, we must also add Fiorentina, which with the equal of Genoa has moved to only 3 lengths from Inter. A real tussle which, at the moment, makes everything open: the direct clashes will be many and all, potentially, decisive.
To change the scenarios, more than the success of Milan against Palermo, is the defeat of the Nerazzurri in Crotone, a sensational result that even reopens the race for salvation. However, all of this is of little interest to Inter, who passed within 10 days of dreaming of third place to find themselves out of the Europa League.
“We were presumptuous, superficial and arrogant, offering a performance not worthy of Serie A – Ausilio commented harshly. – All of this is unacceptable, we have to work and figure out where to change, what happened this week leaves me amazed".
“What shouldn't have happened happened, if we gave our opponents a time it means that I didn't work well either – Pioli echoed. – This was an exam and we failed, now we try to get up and be ready for the derby”.
The defeat in Crotone risks leaving heavy aftermaths and not only for the standings: the coach's permanence, in fact, seems increasingly difficult. He too knows it well, it is no coincidence that he decided to cancel the rest day and have his boys train today too, in an attempt to wake up a group that stopped right at the most beautiful moment. In all of this, in addition to Milan, Crotone is smiling, again in the race for salvation (there are only 3 points from Empoli) and ready to give battle to the end. Yesterday's first half sanctioned a very heavy victory, signed by Falcinelli's brace (18' from a penalty and 22') and by a warrior spirit that literally annihilated Inter. In the second half, the Nerazzurri's desire for a comeback came out and after D'Ambrosio's goal (65') the equalizer could also have arrived (Eder's sensational post), but the Calabrians held on with pride and in the end were able to cheer.
The same thing happened at San Siro, where Crotone's goals were celebrated more than for Milan's goals. The 4-0 win over the rosanero restores serenity regardless and this precisely in the hottest week of the season, which should see the much-needed closing on the eve of the derby. “I'm happy to have overtaken Inter but only because they were sixth, for us they are an opponent like any other – ignored Montella. – We had the temperament of a great team and we also put quality into it, we want Europe and I am convinced that we will get there”.
Yesterday's victory was convincing, with the Rossoneri masters of the field from the start, so much so that the 1-0 arrived already in the 6th minute with Suso, author of a splendid free-kick that struck Fulignati. The Spaniard then picked up Pasalic for the 2-0 (19') and when Bacca found the set with a close-range header (37') it became clear that there would be no surprises at San Siro. The second half turned out to be pure academia, with Deulofeu's 4-0 (70') and many scoring opportunities left by the wayside, without however affecting a victory that was never really in question.
