Napoli-Milan 0-1: the Rossoneri are back in the lead. The direct confrontation with Maradona is taken by Pioli's team thanks to a goal from Giroud, while the Azzurri, once again, are left with only regrets for a great wasted opportunity. The other heavy success on Sunday is that of Juventus, who thanks to a 1-0 win over Spezia secure fourth place (Atalanta, even if they win the recovery against Turin, would still be within 3), but above all earn points on Naples, thus remaining in the wake of the first in the class.
Napoli-Milan 0-1, the analysis of the match
Spalletti and Pioli had asked for a test of character and they got it, but only the Rossoneri goes home with a smile. Yes, because his Milan knew how to better interpret Maradona's direct confrontation, proving to be very good in direct confrontations: after the derby won in the league, here is yesterday's very heavy success, to definitively certify the Scudetto ambitions of his. After this 1-0 signed by Giroud, in fact, it will be impossible to snub the Devil, up to now treated by insiders as a sort of third wheel between Inter and Napoli.
However, the pitch said different things, especially in cross-matches, where Milan have always managed to have their say, making the most of their characteristics, both technical and mental. Even yesterday, in the pit of Maradona, Pioli's team didn't let themselves be intimidated, remaining lucid and ending up growing at a distance, showing courage, ideas and a great spirit of sacrifice, as well as the ability to exploit the episodes. In a match that will certainly cause discussions even for a couple of referee episodes (penalty requested by Milan for a foul by Koulibaly on Bennacer, penalty requested by Napoli for a foul by Tomori on Osimhen: both were there, but Orsato chose a line, so to speak, "in English"), the decisive man was Giroud, just like in the derby.
The Frenchman speared Ospina's goal with a true centre-forward's paw (49'), unlocking a game that was very lively in terms of pace and intensity, but quite blocked in terms of opportunities. The difference, in such a tense and balanced match, was made by Pioli's midfield, capable of taking over the blue one and maintaining control of operations: the rest, in a match that could have ended 0-0, he arrived thanks to the skill of the French centre-forward, an old wolf from the penalty areas, very good at exploiting the only opportunity he had and thus giving his team a very important victory in terms of the Scudetto.
Napoli-Milan, the words of Pioli and Spalletti
"These are three important points, we beat a strong team – Pioli exulted – The boys played well and were rewarded by the result, Inter remain the favourites, but I'm sorry there are still some recoveries: it would be more correct, in this point of the season, have the same number of games. Now there are two important matches with Empoli and Cagliari, then we'll try to recover some energy with the break. We have to improve against the teams in the back, we had some difficulties, but we hope we learned our lesson. Now attitude and quality will be important…”.
Spalletti was in the opposite mood, forced to deal with the second crushing defeat in a few days after the one with Barcelona, but above all with the awareness of not having yet managed to give his team the winning mentality. “We lost, there's not much to say – his bitter comment – Our match was almost nothing, we even started well with the dribble, but in the first half we made too many mistakes and were not very effective in attack. I don't know if pressure is a problem for this team, if you play for first place in the standings the tension rises, but this thing is part of the champions. If you can't handle these things it becomes impossible to win, but I'll still be here tomorrow: I won't give up an inch".
Juve-Spezia 1-0, the analysis of the match
The other "heavy" winner of the day is Juventus, who thanks to the success against Spezia (goal from Morata in the 21st minute) brings the series of consecutive useful results to 15. Yesterday's 3 points allow her to detach Atalanta regardless of recoveries, but above all to continue to dream of a comeback on the top three in the class, however very difficult. The next two with Sampdoria and Salernitana, combined with more complex calendars than the others, could further improve the standings, so that the match against Inter on April 3 becomes a real direct match, capable of further revolutionizing the Scudetto fight. beautiful in recent years.
Up to here the positive things, but once again the bianconeri have shown worrying limits in terms of play, which does not authorize particular optimism in view of the future. It's okay to win with a short face, a little less to face an entire second half without shots on goal, leaving the ball to Spezia and risking several times to suffer a draw. Of course, yesterday's Juve played without important elements, as indeed they have for some time (Chiesa and Dybala don't give themselves away to anyone), but the feeling that something more can be done is strong, even if in terms of results one cannot say nothing to Allegri, capable of steering a season that seemed disastrous and which, instead, could give great satisfaction.
Juve-Spezia, the words of Allegri
“We had to close the first half with a two-goal lead – Allegri analyzes – We were tired in the second, also because we had come from intense matches and I couldn't make any substitutions. To achieve great goals, this team needs victories of suffering, but I can't say anything to the boys. It was important to get to 53 points and prepare for the next games as best as possible, I've never seen a team always win easily. The environment had got used to winning with suffering, but even in my previous 5 years we had such successes: the important thing is not to give up”.
