Il Milan flies, Inter sinks. Sunday with decidedly different faces for the Rossoneri and Nerazzurri, the former very excited by the victory over Chievo, the latter sunk by the sensational knockout with Cagliari, furthermore topped off by the explosion of the Icardi case. It seems incredible given the premises at the start of the season but looking down on the cousins is Milan, who even finished in second place in the standings, albeit in cohabitation with Roma. Bentegodi's was a real final exam and Montella passed it brilliantly: should he do the same next Saturday with Juve we could even talk about a degree.
“These speeches don't belong to us, we have to keep a low profile – explained the coach. – Last year Inter were first until January, then we know how it ended… Chievo started very strong, however we had some problems in managing the ball, but then in the second half we were good at legitimizing the victory . It was a very intense race, results like this increase self-esteem and conviction”.
For almost a time the Rossoneri were crushed by Chievo, but then, a few moments before half-time tea, Kucka fished the joker with a big left footed shot from outside the box (45') and the match turned completely around. And when Niang found the 2-0 (46') at the start of the second half, victory became increasingly probable. Not obvious though, because Maran's men reopened the games with Birsa (76', splendid free-kick) and the final 3-1 only arrived in full stoppage time (94', own goal by Dainelli after a shot by Bacca).
For a Milan that rejoices there is aInter who cries, more and more a prisoner of her own limitations. The internal defeat against Cagliari would be enough to talk about a crisis, the explosion of the case Icardi causes the entire Nerazzurri world to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The captain infuriated the ultras by rehashing, in his autobiography, the unpleasant episodes of a year and a half ago in Reggio Emilia (hard clash with the fans after the defeat against Sassuolo), the Curva first asked for it to be removed the band, then challenged him harshly throughout the afternoon, finally waiting for him outside the house for a "greeting" that was anything but friendly.
Episodes to be condemned, just like the shocking phrases of Icardi himself in the book ("I bring a hundred criminals from Argentina who kill them there on the spot, then we'll see" the toughest of all). "We will take measures, we have a duty to safeguard the club and make the Inter fans respect" Zanetti's words, "we will talk to him soon and we will take all the necessary decisions" Ausilio echoed. In all of this, the Argentine, evidently tried by the climate at San Siro, offered one of the worst performances of his career, even missing a penalty that could have changed the history of the match.
Instead it was Cagliari who smiled, showing up in Milan without ever picking up an away point and returning to Sardinia with full spoils. Horrible game for the Nerazzurri, managed very badly despite Joao Mario's lead at the start of the second half (55'). It seemed done, then Rastelli's team took the chair and first found an equalizer with Melchiorri (71'), then the sensational overtaking goal thanks to a clumsy own goal by Handanovic (85'). A searing defeat, the third in a row considering those in Prague and Rome, which puts De Boer heavily back in the dock.
“It's the most difficult moment since I've been here – admitted the coach -. I don't understand why after the advantage we stopped playing, once again we had the wrong attitude. I didn't expect this defeat: with all due respect for Cagliari, these are games to be won." Many at Inter think so, which is why the next matches (Southampton in the Europa League and Atalanta) will have to bring decidedly different answers. Otherwise the Dutch project could sensationally end up in the bin.
