Milan and Naples launch the challenge, Inter, Juventus and Lazio suffer a bad blow. The super Saturday of Serie A sends on the cover Pioli and Spalletti, capable of winning direct clashes with Inzaghi and Sarri and thus giving a strong and clear jolt to the standings. On the other side, inevitably, there are the losers, in particular the Nerazzurri coach, who adds another heavy knockout after the one against Lazio: this, for obvious reasons, hurts much more and forces him to defend himself against attacks from the press and fans. He's not doing all that well either Massimiliano Allegri, stopped by Fiorentina and by the usual unconvincing performance, in defiance of the arrivals of Owned (scoring just like with Spezia) e Paredes (perpetrator of the hand ball that led to Jovic's penalty, then saved by Perin): the Juventus people are clamoring for improvements, especially after a transfer market that Arrivabene has defined as "boutique".
Milan-Inter 3-2, Pioli rejoices: "This team continues to amaze me"
The main title is taken by Milan, capable of winning a fought derby and spectacular, full of twists and turns just like in the brightest predictions. Several games overlapped at San Siro, with Inter taking the lead first (Brozovic in the 21st minute) and the Rossoneri overturning everything with Leao (twice, once in the 28th minute and the other in the 60th minute) and Giroud ( 54'), until the Nerazzurri returned, back in the game with Dzeko (67') and stopped in the final by a great Maignan. “I liked the team a lot for 70 minutes, then we relaxed but it was impossible not to concede something – Pioli commented satisfied -. I train guys who continue to amaze me with their will, stubbornness and desire to improve, I'm a happy coach. We were good at reading the game, Inter made us dribble but we played with maturity, awareness and with the right malice".
Inzaghi defends himself: "A burning defeat, but we had bad luck"
Opposite mood at Inter, where you have to deal with the second defeat in the league after just 5 days, all with the imminent challenge to Bayern Monaco on a Wednesday which certainly does not help to raise morale. “The start was balanced, we scored a splendid goal but then, after the draw, we had a blackout – explained Inzaghi -. We can't concede goals like that in a derby, in the end we would have deserved a draw but that half hour left something to be desired. We had a lot of effort to score two goals, in front of us there was a very strong goalkeeper but unfortunately they score us too easily: managing moments is too important for our team, against Lazio and Milan they compromised the game, in these matches the detail it makes the difference”.
Fiorentina-Juventus 1-1, Allegri curries his team: "We need a change of mentality"
If Inzaghi cries, Allegri is certainly not laughing. The 1-1 in Florence is the third draw in the league after those with Sampdoria and Roma, but above all it aligns with unconvincing performance of his Juventus, always too passive and defeatist to aim for something important. Yesterday too, after Milik's lightning advantage (9'), the Lady moved her center of gravity back dangerously, although the Viola equalizer came on the counterattack (Kouamé in the 29th minute). And things could have gone even worse if Perin hadn't deflected Jovic's penalty onto the post, born from a touch of the arm by new signing Paredes, whose debut is at least to be reviewed. “I'm happy with the fifth consecutive useful result, but in moments like this the match must be bitten, instead we weren't capable – Allegri's analysis -. In the end I was a little angry because they wanted to win, we could have made better use of some counter-attacks but the game had to be closed in the first half. We need a change of mentality, these details can change games: the lads must understand that the ball, when you're at Juventus, weighs more than anywhere else."
Lazio-Napoli 1-2, Spalletti enjoys: "These guys are exceptional"
The other heavy result on Saturday is that of Napoli, capable of conquering Roma Lazio with a 2-1 comeback. Zaccagni's lightning goal (4'), in fact, the Azzurri responded with Kim (38') and Kvaratskhelia (61'), taking home 3 very important points, both for the standings and for morale. “United and short team that always pressed, we built with great quality – the words pleased with Spalletti -. We made some trivial mistakes in the possession phase, throwing away some balls which, for the level of football we want to aspire to, we cannot lose. Now we can think about Champions, it will be a very important experience and I hope my boys face it correctly: I am convinced that they can compete against any opponent”.
Udinese-Rome (20 pm, Dazn)
Il first place however it depends on Rome (and on theAtalanta, engaged tomorrow in Monza), who will go to Udine this evening to take back the lead. However, Sottil's Udinese will be up against them, already capable of beating Fiorentina and worrying Milan at the San Siro, therefore not exactly a soft opponent. Tests with a fair coefficient of difficulty therefore for the Giallorossi, called to give continuity to a very good start to the season, characterized however by three games (out of four) enough”comode”: the only one that wasn't, or rather the away game in Turin, went well only for the result, certainly not for the game.
Mourinho: "Being up there right now doesn't count"
“It doesn't matter to be first now, we only played a few games and then a lot depended on the calendar of games we faced – admitted Mourinho in the press conference -. It's too early, I don't look at the standings but only at us. We must always try to win, without looking at the opponent's name and thinking match by match. It's not easy to be brilliant at this stage, we don't have much time to train, but luckily I've been playing in these conditions for more than 20 years, including in European cups. If you have more players in the same role it's easier, otherwise it's difficult, but it's a stimulus for us anyway."
Udinese-Roma, the formations
However, the Giallorossi will limit the turnover to a minimum, indeed it is assumed that they will postpone it to Thursday in Europa League, when they go to Bulgaria to meet Ludogorets. At the Dacia Arena it will be Rome-type, therefore 3-4-2-1 with Rui Patricio in goal, Mancini, Smalling and Ibanez in defense, Celik, Cristante, Matic and Spinazzola in midfield, Dybala and Pellegrini behind the lone striker Abraham. Similar game system also for Sottil, who will field Udinese with a 3-5-2 with Silvestri in goal, Becao, Bijol and Nuytinck in the back, Perez, Pereyra, Walace, Makengo and Udogie in the midfield, Deulofeu and Beto in attack.
