Inter runs away. Salerno's victory, rounded and convincing beyond all wildest expectations, locks down the Nerazzurri's first place, sure to keep it at least until next Wednesday, when they face Turin in the last round of the first leg. Up for grabs will be the title of winter champions, as long as Naples and Rome don't stop Milan and Atalanta between today and tomorrow: in that case, in fact, Inzaghi's team would already be sure of going to the halfway point in command, even with a game to spare.
All of this is the child of one comeback born last November 7, when Inter played the derby by 7 points behind, with the possibility of going within 10: that draw, however, marked the beginning of the turning point, later certified with 6 victories in a row, even 5 without conceding a goal. Scary numbers, just like the 103 goals scored in the calendar year 2021, which, moreover, is still missing the match against Turin: an absolute record, given that the previous one, dating back to 1950 (99), was pulverized last night, in a match dominated from start to finish. It was certainly not Salernitana, destroyed by corporate problems (but supported by an admirable public) and returning from 3 knockouts in a row, that could stop such a path, except for twists and turns which, however, did not occur.
Arechi's match took place on a single track, with Inter leading after just 11' through Perisic and several times close to 0-2, until Dumfries' goal (33') which, in fact, closed all conversations. The grenades, while showing some good plot with Ribery, not only did not have any means to counter, but they could not even resist the inevitable goal of the second half, signed by Sanchez (52 '), Lautaro (77') and Gagliardini (87 '), for a very poker final that sends Inzaghi into orbit, increasingly alone in command of the championship.
"The best thing was the attitude of the boys, in these matches you have everything to lose but we had an excellent approach, moving the ball well and doing what we had to do with concentration and determination - exulted the coach in the room press -. Right from the start I had an excellent feeling with the team, we played like this even in the first games, with many chances created. Of course, we have lost some accomplice points there too Champions, but we were delayed in the standings only because two teams had won them all. Now we are in the lead, but the path is long and complicated, our opponents are strong and prepared".
However, the message is loud and clear, especially in rounds in which the other 3 contenders are engaged in direct confrontations which, inevitably, will end up doing him a favor, further consolidating his leadership in Serie A. The same, albeit with due proportions, it can be said of Lazio, that by beating Genoa it guaranteed itself the right to a weekend of smiles, with the awareness that someone among Atalanta and Rome will lose some ground.
The 3-1 at the Olimpico gives back a minimum of serenity to a group always on a roller coaster, unable up to now to run continuously, but good at reacting whenever it seems to be on the brink of the abyss. Yesterday the victory was practically obligatory given that Shevchenko's rossoblu, despite the recovery of Destro and Criscito, presented themselves as penultimate in the standings, with three consecutive defeats on the back. Which became four already in the first half, when Pedro converted a great ball recovered by Felipe Anderson into a goal, for the Biancoceleste's 1-0 goal (36'). In the second half, Genoa tried to raise the center of gravity, but without worrying Strakosha, until Acerbi, following the development of a corner, sealed the double with a nice header (75'). Shortly after Zaccagni signed the trio (81'), thus transforming Melegoni's goal (86') into a simple point on the flag, useless for the purposes of the result.
La Lazio he therefore obtained a doubly important victory: for the standings, given that the points become 28 like those of Roma and Juventus and for the general conviction, in the light of the absence of the striker Immobile. “We played a good game, commanding it from start to finish, conceding nothing to our opponents – commented satisfied by Sarri -. He's only sorry for the goal scored in the final, he wasn't there, but the good performance is still there. I think Lazio hadn't won without Immobile for a long time…”. Inter and Lazio therefore started matchday 18 as best they could not, giving themselves the luxury of being able to watch each other's matches without fear, indeed with the hope of even being able to improve their respective rankings.
