Inter are back in the running. The first Sunday of the post-Covid championship is all Nerazzurri and not just for the victory of Conte's men: in fact, there is also the beautiful 4-1 by Atalanta against Sassuolo, yet another showdown for the Gasperini gang . However, it is clear that the most important success comes from San Siro, as can be seen from a ranking that once again sees Inter in the orbit of the Scudetto. Of course, the points from Juve and Lazio remain many (6 and 5 respectively), moreover with no direct matches available, but not enough to suggest a two-way fight.
The match against Sampdoria was essential to return to seeing a glimmer of light and the mission, albeit with the usual flaws, was accomplished. The 2-1 final is close to the Nerazzurri, especially after a first half played very well, in which the result could have taken on greater dimensions. But then, just as happened in Naples, the rhythms dropped in the second half and Inter were unable to close the conversation, thus keeping the case open until the 90th minute.
Luckily for him though Samp, without Quagliarella, did not have Mertens and Insigne but only poor La Gumina, so Handanovic was able to spend a relatively quiet evening, except for a badly wasted opportunity by Ramirez and for Thorsby's goal, which came after a nap from the central duo De Vrij-Bastoni (53'). Little stuff compared to the Nerazzurri's offensive overwhelming power, which finally dusted off the award-winning Lu-La company: Lukaku stamped the 1-0 after just 10', Lautaro doubled his lead in the 33rd minute.
With the two of yesterday are 30 goals scored in the season by Conte's two forwards, a good weapon at your disposal, especially as now there is also Eriksen, finally at Tottenham levels. The Dane had already made a good impression against Napoli and yesterday he repeated himself first of all with the assist for Lukaku, then for many other interesting things: this explains the tactical change of the Nerazzurri coach, who switched to 3-4-1 2 just to enhance its characteristics.
"I am satisfied with the performance of the boys but we have to learn to kill the opponent, sportingly of course - the comment of Tale – Just think of what happened against Napoli: you create a lot, you dominate, then you go home and they criticize you. The same thing happened here, you need to be more cynical and determined because then you concede a goal and you're in trouble. This was a vital match, as all will be between now and the end, we will have no more room to make mistakes. Of course it is part of the growth path, but if we want to get back into the game we have to do it. We are at 6 points, not who knows how much: we have to understand that to win you need malice".
Now the ball passes to Juve, called to answer on the trip of Bologna (21.45). It's not just a matter of standings, even if that, obviously, has a rather significant weight: in fact, the bianconeri must be forgiven for Wednesday's defeat, which left aftermath as inevitable as it is tangible.
"The disappointment is great, losing a trophy is heavy but we can't slaughter ourselves for a nuanced goal: let's think about the next one and move on - he retorted Sarri – We have to improve our physical and mental condition within ten days: after 60-70 days of rest and 25 of heavy work we cannot be at our best right away, this is a new and difficult situation. Now we will face a dangerous opponent when he attacks and when he restarts, we will have to play a better game from a game point of view but also be careful".
The Lady has only one result available, there is no doubt about that, otherwise the air around Sarri, already quite heavy, would risk becoming unbearable. In recent days, rumors have spread about alleged quarrels between the coach and some players, Ronaldo and Pjanic above all, demonstrating a rather agitated environment.
“It's one of the biggest hoaxes of the season – Sarri glossed over – Pjanic is among the three players I've used the most, he's a player I'm very close to and I have to make up for because he has a very important role in our midfield. On the other hand, we spoke with Cristiano before Milan and Napoli, and yesterday we also discussed for a long time. He must not lose faith in himself, within a week he will be the fantastic player he was before ”.
The moment is delicate and only today's success would help to calm it down at least a little. The Juventus coach will try to get it relying on the usual 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, Cuadrado, De Ligt, Bonucci and De Sciglio in defence, Bentancur, Pjanic and Matuidi in midfield, Douglas Costa, Dybala and Ronaldo in attack. Mihajlovic, determined to trip the Lady, will attempt the coup with a 4-2-3-1 that will see Skorupski between the posts, Tomiyasu, Danilo, Denswil and Dijks in the back, Medel and Svanberg in the midfield, Orsolini, Soriano and Samson behind lone point Barrow.
However, they will open the 27th day Lecce and Milan, engaged in the advance of 19.30 (together with them also Fiorentina-Brescia). Very delicate match for the hosts, looking for salvation points, but also for the Rossoneri, called to win to give a sign of life. The Europa League goal is still within reach, yet around via Aldo Rossi we talk above all about the future, as if the present had nothing more to say. Scenario that Pioli doesn't like at all, determined to play all his cards until the last hand, even if the game probably sees him already defeated.
"If the league hadn't been revived ours would have been a season of regrets, but we now have 12 games to go to Europe - the opening speech by Rossoneri coach – We have to chase and we have to do it well and as soon as possible, we have to restart with a win: it would be very important because in 40 days we'll play everything. My future? Like that of all the coaches: it will depend on this season finale."
Whether it's a real conviction or a lie with a good purpose to motivate the team, the substance doesn't change: Milan must change gears, possibly already from this stage in Salento. Pioli will not be able to count on Ibrahimovic (his return could take place on Sunday against Roma) and on the central duo Musacchio-Duarte, but for the rest it will be a 4-2-3-1 type with Donnarumma in goal, Conti, Kjaer, Romagnoli and Hernandez in defence, Kessie and Bennacer in midfield, Castillejo, Calhanoglu and Bonaventura on the trocar, Rebic in attack.
Liverani, looking for safety points, will try to take the 3 points by relying on a 4-3-2-1 that will see Gabriel between the posts, Rispoli, Lucioni, Rossettini and Calderoni in the back, Petriccione, Tachtsidis and Mancosu in the midfield, Falco and Saponara behind the only peak Lapadula.
