Call it a lion week. In seven days, Inter put their season back in order, obtaining three victories that seemed almost impossible and which instead fixed the standings and morale, in the Champions League and in the league. The latest, yesterday against Fiorentina, allows Spalletti to pass an important test, the only one capable of placing the Nerazzurri close to the top places, albeit with one game more than their competitors.
This time, unlike what happened with Tottenham and Sampdoria, the dispute was resolved before the ninetieth minute but woe to think it was easier: a good part of the match took place on a razor's edge and the result could have even taken another fold.
But, as often happens in football, it was the episodes that made the difference and Inter, for the third time in a week, were able to direct them to their side. The first, and the most discussed, was the penalty converted by Icardi (45') for handball by Hugo, a decision decreed by the Var and the subject of debate between the two clubs.
"There was absolutely none – growled Pioli – We are talking about an imperceptible touch, it was certainly not voluntary". "Absurd penalty, I've never seen one like it in Serie A" Antognoni added, thus prompting Spalletti's reply. “It was a clean penalty – the Nerazzurri coach reiterated – Hugo touched a ball that was going towards the penalty spot, and then once they give me one, you can even take it away…”. Endless controversy, which however does not fully explain this Inter-Fiorentina.
In fact, in the second half the Nerazzurri, despite the advantage, went into difficulty and suffered an equalizer from Chiesa, whose shot was weighed down by Skriniar's unfortunate deflection (53'). Inter struggled for several minutes, but then there was a new advantage on the only occasion created in the second half, with D'Ambrosio finishing the one-two with Icardi in the best possible way (77'). Decisive goal, which reinvigorated the Nerazzurri and cut off the Viola's legs, effectively closing the advance at San Siro.
This evening, however, it will be Roma's turn, called to win at all costs, without ifs and buts. In fact, no other result will be allowed at the Olimpico against Frosinone, on pain of exacerbating an already evident crisis, with all the consequences of the case. The first, perhaps, would concern Di Francesco's bench, at that point hardly defensible towards an increasingly impatient square, as demonstrated by the dispute from the away sector in Bologna.
An eventuality that the club would like to avoid at all costs, also because there will be the derby against Lazio on Saturday: changing coach in such a short period of time would dramatically increase the chaos around the team. However, it is clear that someone in the top floors of the club is thinking about it, so much so that on Sunday, after the Dall'Ara knockout, not a single voice was raised in defense of the coach.
"I haven't heard from Pallotta but I don't need trust right now, just as I'm not interested in commenting on the summer transfer market - Di Francesco glossed over - I just know that we are obliged to take the 3 points at any cost, that's why we opted for the withdraw. You don't need to point the finger at someone but work together, only in this way will we be able to get back on top".
A victory is urgently needed, which the coach will try to obtain relying on a 4-2-3-1 with Olsen in goal, Santon, Manolas, Fazio and Kolarov in defense, De Rossi and Nzonzi in midfield, Under, Pastore and El Shaarawy in the frontline , Schick in attack. For his part, Longo, back from the defeat against Juve, will try to exploit the Giallorossi's difficulties and attempt a coup (or at least to score the first goal in the league) with the same system that will see Sportiello between the posts, Goldaniga, Salamon, Krajnc and Zampano in the back department, Chibsah and Hallfredsson in the midfield, Cassata, Molinaro and Ciano in support of the sole striker Perica.
