Party (almost) complete. Inter conquers Crotone, thus conquering the penultimate piece to get to the Scudetto: the last one could arrive today if Atalanta fails to win against Sassuolo, otherwise it will be enough to score a point in the next 4 games. In short, even mathematics is about to surrender to the Nerazzurri's triumphant ride, certified by a second round at an incredible pace, with 13 wins and 2 draws in 15 games played. A steamroller led by Conte, not surprisingly the architect of the first title after 10 years of lean: he was needed to bring Inter back to the top of Italy, moreover in a season full of internal problems, with his tactical skills and the ability to change your mind at the right moment. This was the case last November 28 in Reggio Emilia, when he abandoned his ambitions for showmanship by returning to a more spartan and effective football, decisive in starting the XNUMX-in-a-row that defeated the competition, and it was thus in the management of Eriksen, who went from being a problem solution within a few months.
The Dane, who already scored in Naples three days ago, did it again yesterday despite the initial bench: Conte had preferred Sensi to him, but then, when the match was getting bogged down at 0-0, he sent him onto the pitch and he he repaid him with a decisive right foot (69'). Crotone tried in every possible way to avoid the defeat that would have mathematically condemned them to Serie B, but the technical difference with Inter was too large. And so, after Lukaku's goal disallowed for Perisic's offside by centimeters, here is the definitive 2-0 signed by Hakimi (92 '), launched on the counterattack after the Calabrians had come up en masse to take advantage of a free-kick. Inter could not be wrong and she didn't, now all she has to do is sit in an armchair and support Sassuolo, with the awareness that, even if no favors come from De Zerbi, the party will only be postponed.
“The boys have the day off, they will stay with their families because they deserve some rest: we don't want to depend on others, but if it happens … – Conte glossed over in the press conference -. These players are doing something historic, because if we win they will all go down in Inter history, after bringing down a nine-year reign. This championship is the result of a total growth of the whole team, from every point of view, technical, mental, moral: it's a great group". Party also on the other side of the Naviglioalbeit with due proportions. Milan didn't win the Scudetto but certainly the victory over Benevento is important, not to say fundamental, in terms of the Champions League. The Rossoneri had no choice if they wanted to keep hoping for qualification for the Europe that counts, especially on the eve of next Sunday's direct clash with Juve.
Mission accomplished, albeit with a few too many worries that he reiterated, if there was still a need, that this Devil is much more fragile than the one admired in the first round. Having said that, the 2-0 final is deserved, also because there wasn't a resigned opponent in front of them but a Benevento hungry for points as much as Milan, which made the match much more fought and fun than one could expect. Pioli's team, however, had the merit of unlocking it immediately, finding the goal of the advantage already in the 6th minute with Calhanoglu, good at finalizing a splendid choral action finished by Saelemaekers and a veil of Kessié. But frenzy can play tricks on both sides: a crazy first half came out of it, with the Rossoneri devouring several opportunities on the counterattack, against a dangerous Benevento on several occasions. The trend also continued in the second half, until Hernandez found the 2-0 by collecting a rejection by Montipò on Ibrahimovic, for an easy tap-in (60').
Here, the Swede is the bittersweet note of the evening: present on the net in the final double and in various dangerous situations, but also unusually warm in front of goal, as well as very nervous with his teammates. Of course, for someone like him, scoring is essential, especially after missing the last two games, but it would be reasonable to expect greater leadership towards more inexperienced teammates, especially in the key moment of the season. In any case, it had to be a victory and a victory it was, for a classification that now sees Milan in second place, but with one game more than all their rivals in the Champions League area. “It was a particularly important match from an emotional and ranking point of view, it's useless to hide it, not winning would have been negative, but we played with personality, moving a lot together – Pioli's analysis -. We needed an important mental effort and application and we had it, but we have to be more careful and solid when the others attack: we fight for an important objective, our performances must be up to par". The latter, in one way or another, was: now the ball passes to the rivals, called to a fiery Sunday like few others.
