The point of no return has arrived. Inter–Cagliari is only the first appointment in a long series of matches that the nerazzurri cannot fail. Penalty, the definitive removal from the VIP area, the one that leads to the title but above all to the Champions area, the real goal of the reigning world champions. At least this is the common opinion, despite Claudio Ranieri's obstinacy in saying that the Scudetto is still possible: “I believe in it – he said yesterday in the press conference – if the teams ahead continue at this pace it will be tough, but it's a strange championship and anything can happen. As long as there are points available we have to think about reaching them, we have to believe in everything we've done in the past years. If we were a little girl we would have to think about salvation, but with these champions we have to believe it. If we manage to get out of this quicksand soon, we can try, even if, objectively speaking, it would be an incredible undertaking”.
True, but Ranieri deserves credit, if only because in 2009/2010 he came close to a similar comeback with Roma (but then Mourinho won the title). Indeed, the championship is still very long, but the matches that Inter will play between now and Christmas will certainly be decisive. Cagliari, Siena, Udinese, Fiorentina, Genoa, Cesena and Lecce: 7 matches (excluding the Champions League) that could change the Nerazzurri's championship. Ranieri's declared objective is to score 21 points, to then settle the accounts during the Christmas holidays: "It's logical that winning always would be wonderful because it means that the team has rediscovered enthusiasm and the desire to win - said Ranieri - let's see what happens . Between now and Christmas we will understand what we can do”.
Meanwhile we start from Cagliari, which is coming from a difficult period but has just changed coach (Ballardini has arrived in place of Ficcadenti). A team not to be underestimated, especially if you think about the absences of the Nerazzurri (Lucio, Nagatomo, Maicon, Chivu and Muntari will be absent, but Poli will return). Despite the training problems, Ranieri hopes to review his race and determination. The rest will follow by itself: “Cagliari is a team that does well away from home, which runs and has beaten Roma and created many problems for Napoli and Udinese. With problems in defense we have to make a virtue of necessity, then there's the mental aspect that grows hand in hand with victories. We are missing three or four consecutive results to convince us of our possibilities”.
