Maximum results with minimum effort. The ninth 1-0 of the season allows Inter to conquer Empoli and confirm their first place in the standings, as well as book the title of winter champion. In case of success against Sassuolo it will be "half a Scudetto", something that will not fill the bulletin board but which often and willingly has proved to be decisive in achieving the real one. The new year hasn't changed the Mancini band's favorite recipe: cynicism and defensive solidity, with all due respect to the show.
But all this counts for little in the face of points and those keep coming, which is why the Nerazzurri, who started with the aim of returning to the Champions League, can legitimately aspire to the title. It must also be said that on Empoli's victory, in addition to three decisive saves by Handanovic, a rather big referee error by Celi weighs: the contact between Murillo and Pucciarelli was punished with a penalty and the Colombian centre-back, already booked, would have deserved at least the second yellow.
“I'm not so sure about this – Mancini retorted. – For me it is Pucciarelli who seeks contact, he is the one who spreads his foot towards Murillo". Questionable interpretation that of the technician from Jesi, not surprisingly in total contrast with that of his colleague Giampaolo. Penalty aside, however, Inter's victory remained, obtained thanks to a paw from Icardi right at the end of the first half. Perisic's play was decisive, preferred as expected over Jovetic and Biabiany: his assist allowed Maurito to make the most of one of the few balls touched.
For the rest, sterile ball possession and management of the match without major worries, although Empoli certainly created the greatest opportunities. “It's a very difficult field, we knew it wouldn't be an easy match – commented Mancini. – They played better in the first half, but we went out in the second half and we could have doubled. I'm satisfied with our test, it's clear that we can do better but after the break it's never easy". Inter don't charm but keep winning and, not surprisingly, look down on everyone. The road to the Scudetto is still very long but given the premises at the start of the season, there's really no need to complain.
breakthrough? No, agony! Mihajlovic could not have used a better expression to define Milan's season, even if his intent was quite different. The home defeat against Bologna represents the lowest point of his Rossoneri experience, so much so that the time has come to turn on the countdown. A defeat against Roma on Saturday could sanction the exemption, a misstep in the Italian Cup against Carpi would make it truly inevitable.
“I haven't spoken to the club but there will be an opportunity to do so soon – glossed over Mihajlovic. – We must continue to work and try to stay calm, this is a burning defeat and I am the first to be sorry for it. We created 5 sensational chances face to face with the goalkeeper but we weren't able to score, and when you make too many mistakes you risk losing. I understand the boos from the fans but I won't give up, I've never thought of doing so."
However, the "resistance" could end in the face of results: third place, the declared (minimum) goal of the season, is 10 points away and, considering the teams ahead (6 and Sassuolo have a game to recover), also the Europa League is far from likely. The failure of the Rossoneri season could have been sanctioned by Donadoni, formerly applauded by the Milanese people and always snubbed by Via Aldo Rossi. His Bologna plays excellent football and yesterday he deserved to leave San Siro with full loot, even if it was the episodes that condemned Milan above all. Poor game apart from Mihajlovic's team has created a lot, so much so that the man of the match palm certainly belongs to Mirante, author of decisive saves on Bacca and Bonaventura. The rossoblu also wasted several chances, testifying to a much more open match than one could have imagined on the eve.
The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute, 5 minutes after a sensational mistake by Cerci face to face with Mirante: Giaccarini, left alone by the unwatchable Rossoneri defence, proved to be decidedly colder and beat the innocent Donnarumma. The 0-1 effectively sealed the end of the match: Milan were too fragile to seriously think about making a comeback. Now the table is really crying and with it the president Berlusconi: the match in Rome, in short, becomes really decisive.
