The roar of Milan! On the most important night, that of the confrontation with the fiercest competitor for third place, the Rossoneri took all the stakes, convincing to boot. Instead, Napoli returns home dejected, unfinished just like Benitez's project. Taken to make the leap in quality compared to the Mazzarri era (De Laurentiis dixit), the Spaniard has not yet given an identity to his team, which is now hooked up by Milan and therefore sucked into the group for third place. Great game for the Rossoneri or bad game for the Azzurri? The truth, as is often the case, lies somewhere in the middle.
Inzaghi's men undoubtedly offered the best performance of the season, Benitez's the worst. So, how to evaluate this San Siro match? “I'm proud of the team, we had the right attitude and these are the matches that make you grow – Superpippo's analysis. – I knew we would redeem ourselves after Genoa, in the long run the work pays off and the results come as a result. I think we're in third place, we can't help but be ambitious”. The Rossoneri coach can finally smile, because after 5 months his Milan is starting to take shape.
Of course, the ups and downs are still the order of the day and the quality remains medium-level, but the team follows him and seems to blindly believe in his every move, so much so that they apply themselves to the best of their ability. The exact opposite of what happens at Napoli, where results and performances do not correspond to a high-level staff. The last victory dates back to November 9 (0-1 in Florence), since then 3 draws (2 home games against Cagliari and Empoli) and 1 defeat. And so the 24 points in the standings, despite being the same as Milan's, are judged in a diametrically opposite way: more, much more is expected from the Azzurri.
“We made a mistake at the start and went behind straight away, so it becomes difficult – thought Benitez. – We create a lot but if we don't score then we lose confidence. However, third place is not far away, we are many teams in just three points. Let's start by winning our matches, then we'll see…”. San Siro was a clash between two "unhealthy" teams, full of problems but also the desire for redemption. We only saw that of Milan, charged and motivated at the right point from the start. So much so that, after just 7', the result was already 1-0 for the Rossoneri.
Merit of Menez, splendid in taking time in Koulibaly and beating Rafael with the help of the post, but also of Bonaventura, this time lined up in the trident together with the Frenchman and Honda. The former Atalantino has once again shown that he is ductile and indispensable, so much so that now the ownership of El Shaarawy (on the bench for the whole match yesterday) is seriously under discussion. Assist for the first goal and winning header for the 2-0 final (53'): the feeling is that, in that position, he can do really well.
Napoli was seen only in flashes, between the plays of Menez (some of them applause) and the dribble of the Rossoneri midfield, revitalized by the returns of Montolivo and De Jong. A few sporadic occasions with Higuain and Callejon, then darkness also thanks to a Diego Lopez now master of his goal. Too little to take third place, now more than ever the prerogative of numerous teams. Lazio, Sampdoria, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Fiorentina and, if you like, even Udinese and Palermo: all in 5 points, ready to battle day after day.
This evening, at about 22.50 pm, we will know if Mancini's Inter will also be able to register for the fight. The postponement of the 15th will see her engaged on the Chievo field (at 21 pm), in a match to be won at all costs, otherwise she will almost officially abandon her dreams of glory. “We need to score points, we'll go to Verona to win – said Mancio. – The potential is there, now we have to find a game identity, we can't aim for anything without…”.
The coach from Jesi tried to instill confidence, perhaps even in himself. There is no doubt that his work is still unjustifiable, it is certain that the longed-for shock after Mazzarri's ouster did not exist. So far, thanks to an insidious calendar, his Inter championship version has collected only 1 draw and two defeats. Too little to aim high, which is why he is urging a breakthrough starting this evening. Mancini will try with the usual 4-3-1-2, net of the unavailable Hernanes and Jonathan: Handanovic in goal, Nagatomo, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus and Dodò in defense, Guarin, Medel and Kuzmanovic in midfield, Kovacic in the frontline, Icardi and Palacio in attack.
Maran's Chievo, back from 5 consecutive useful results (2 wins and 3 draws) will respond with a classic 4-4-2, in which Maxi Lopez and Meggiorini will have the task of stinging the Nerazzurri defence. Who in January could lose Vidic: the Serbian, according to rather accredited rumors, would be negotiating with a club in the United Arab Emirates. However, the operation in question will not be the only one in the winter transfer market. “I think the club is in a position to do something” admitted Mancini, who then spent fine words for Balotelli, which according to the English tabloids are far from casual. “I'm a big fan of his, I love him – Mancio opened. – I hope to see him happy, he can do great things. But I haven't spoken to him for two years...".
