Overtaking accomplished. Inter liquidates Cagliari with a poker that does not allow replies and is taken the first place in the standings at the expense of Milan, thus closing in the best possible way a comeback that began on November 21 (3-1 over Napoli) and continued, unstoppable, until yesterday. But the Nerazzurri's perfect Sunday didn't end there: Napoli's defeat against Empoli, in fact, allows them to extend even on the fourth, given that now, after the success in Verona, Atalanta is in third place, in a ranking that even sees 4 teams in as many points. However, it is clear that Inter are the ones in the best shape and not only for the primacy: the technical quality of the squad, combined with the newfound hunger for victory, is a mix that can lead to the second consecutive Scudetto.
Yesterday evening there was yet another demonstration of this, not for the value of Cagliari, who started with very little chance of leaving San Siro unscathed, but for the malice shown on the pitch, as if the opponent were still Ancelotti's Real Madrid and not Mazzarri's team. It's no small detail, because the other big names, despite being superior to almost all the others, are unable to maintain such consistency, just like Inter themselves in the first days of the championship.
For several weeks, however, Inzaghi has made a breakthrough primarily on the mental side and the results are there for all to see. Yesterday the Nerazzurri had to wait 29' to unhinge Cragno's goal, but after a header by Lautaro they literally devastated Cagliari, almost as if overtaking Milan weren't enough to appease the Nerazzurri's hunger. The double, after Lautaro himself had missed a penalty (here we go again!) at the end of the first half, came at the start of the second half with Sanchez, author of a splendid right-footed volley (50'), after which the third and fourth goals arrived, respectively with Calhanoglu (66', great shot from distance) e Lautaro (68'), certifying the celebration of an Inter back again in command of the championship.
“The lads did very well, I asked for attention and concentration, it was a special match because the other teams that make the cups all struggled – the words of Inzaghi – When I accepted Inter I thought I didn't just have Hakimi, Eriksen happened during the European Championships, then Lukaku: I had to change, but I'm lucky to have a great club behind me. We looked for functional players who could help us, we have made a great journey in Europe. Up until Christmas, the goal was that: the round of XNUMX of the Champions League. Now down with the championship, we had a gap, we mended it”.
VERONA 1-2 ATALANTA
Festive Sunday also for Atalanta, who wins in Verona and rises to third place in the standings, just three points behind the first. A great show of strength for the Nerazzurri, capable of obtaining their sixth consecutive success away from Bergamo (an absolute record for the club), moreover just 3 days after the European defeat against Villarreal. Gasperini feared there might be some aftermath and the beginning, in fact, foreshadowed just that, with Hellas ahead thanks to the usual Simeone (22') and the Goddess, overturned by the coach with a massive dose of turnover (outside Zapata, Ilicic, and the disqualified Malinovskyi, inside Muriel, Pasalic and the revived Miranchuk), unable to find outlets in Tudor's armor.
In the 37th minute, however, the turning point signed by the Russian, his first as owner after months on the bench, capable of finding the fundamental equalizer. Yes, because Atalanta regained their courage and in the second half, around the hour of play (62'), they struck again with Koopmeiners, also lucky to find the winning (and absolutely decisive) deflection by Tameze, for the definite goal 1-2.
"It was a match that gave me great satisfaction, against a tough and beautiful team, the boys were extraordinary and deservedly won despite a great balance - he exulted Gasperini – Now we no longer look at those behind us, but only at those in front of us…”.
NAPLES-EMPOLI 0-1
It's not an official self-nomination for the Scudetto, but we're close, also because many now think that Atalanta have everything to try seriously. After all, Milan struggles and Napoli is even in free fall, as demonstrated by yesterday's defeat against Empoli, the second in a row after the one by the Bergamo players. This is particularly bad, because it arrived on a Sunday that was supposed to serve as a springboard for next Sunday, when there will be a direct clash with Milan at San Siro, and which instead proved to be extremely slippery, causing a bad awakening from dreams of glory.
In reality, the Azzurri have created a lot and with a little more luck they would probably have won the game, but they no longer have the solidity they once had, when they scored clean sheets in series. The Cutrone's goal (70', header after a lucky rebound with Anguissa) is indicative of a bad period, but Spalletti's team still remained dry in the goal area, partly due to bad luck (Elmas' crossbar and Petagna's post), much inaccuracy. And then there's the usual injury problem, given that Zielinski also stopped yesterday, forcing the coach to invent a midfield from scratch, not to mention that someone like Osimhen is missing more and more.
"We weren't very good at having quality in going to hurt when the situations occurred in which we closed them in the penalty area - the disconsolate analysis of Spalletti – Many are gritting their teeth, an episode would have been needed but unfortunately it has not arrived. Now we will think about the match against Milan, I consider it a great opportunity because it can put things right again".
SASSUOLO 2-1 LAZIO
Bad setback for the too Lazio, who in Reggio Emilia made up for the third defeat in the last 5 games, thus saying goodbye, barring sensational twists, to the Champions League dream. The match at the Mapei Stadium had two faces, with the biancocelesti immediately in front thanks to Zaccagni (6'), but unable to score the second goal and thus close the contest. And so Sassuolo, after hitting the post and Strakosha's hands, managed to get back on their feet in the second half, first with a splendid goal from Berardi (63'), then with a blow from Raspadori (69'), leaving Lazio to wonder, for the umpteenth time, about the reasons for a defeat.
“Sometimes we look for bad luck on our own, we took the 2-1 goal with one of our defenders in the opposite area – he snapped Sarri – There are situations in which we are fragile and not very logical, we have to learn to be meaner, even if from the point of view of commitment I have little to say, indeed we conceded goals precisely due to an excess of participation".
ROME-SPEZIA 20.45 PM
The 17th day will close tonight with Rome-Spezia, in a very delicate match for both. The Giallorossi, after the double knockout with Bologna and Inter, can no longer make mistakes, especially now that they could hook up with Juve and relaunch, in fact, in the race for European positions, but the Ligurians also have their problems, bogged down as they are in full tussle salvation. For Mourinho this is the third last battle before the Christmas break, in which he hopes to strengthen himself on the market in view of 2022.
"I take the opportunity to say once again that I'm not sorry about our summer transfer market because it was a reaction to our problems, it's not that the club didn't want to give me a midfield player that I had asked for," he pointed out. Special One – It's clear that I'm sorry because I always want the best possible squad to compete, but I immediately understood the difficulties that existed. If it's possible to do something in January, we'll do it, but it certainly won't be a big investment."
The Giallorossi coach, to beat his friend Thiago Motta, will rely on the now usual 3-5-2, net of the suspensions of Zaniolo and Mancini, with Rui Patricio in goal, Kumbulla, Smalling and Ibanez in defense, Karsdorp, Mkhitaryan , Cristante, Veretout and Vina in midfield, Mayoral and Abraham in attack. The same game system also for Spezia, who will attempt the feat with Provedel between the posts, Amian, Erlic and Nikolaou in the back department, Gyasi, Kovalenko, Sala, Maggiore and Reca in the midfield, Verde and Manaj as an offensive pair.
