In the end, fear won. Obviously losing, because Milan and Napoli just couldn't afford another defeat. Better to settle for one point each, even if the 1-1 final, in fact, does not help either Ancelotti's standings or Pioli's. The big match at San Siro therefore ends with a no contest that is difficult to frame: the Rossoneri and the Azzurri showed good things and others that were decidedly less so, confirming themselves as the great sufferers of the championship without however disdaining signs of recovery. It all happened between 24' and 29' of the first half, 5 minutes that seemed to be able to uncork the game and give us who knows how many goals. Instead it was the culmination of a tense and balanced game, in which the fear of failing seemed to be stronger than the desire to get back up.
Lozano took care of breaking the balance, quick to take advantage of the rebuttal of a shot by Insigne that ended up on the crossbar, for an advantage that blew up Ancelotti and left the Rossoneri's San Siro in despair (24 '). However, Bonaventura took care of giving the Milan fans a breather, who 5' later found the seven with a great right from distance, putting the match back in perfect parity. From then on, the balance changed often, with two teams eager to impose themselves but unable to do so, at least definitively. And so, between an Insigne walled up by Donnarumma and a Hysaj one step away from own goal, the match slipped without jolts until Orsato's triple whistle, in defiance of the moves of Ancelotti and Pioli and the large amount of talent on the pitch.
“I was sure we would have put in a good performance because the boys worked well – Pioli's analysis. – We played and fought against a strong opponent, even against bad luck and injuries. Too bad we didn't score more because we came close several times. It takes time to do deep work, but I know I don't have any. I've been here 45 days and there have been two layovers, but I've always liked the attitude”. No comment on the other hand from the blue front: the press blackout was announced, please, but the feeling is that this draw doesn't contribute at all to reassure the environment, now suspended pending the away match in Liverpool, a decidedly important crossroads in the Champions League.
Today instead it's up to Roma, engaged at the Olimpico against Brescia (15 pm). Game to be won at all costs for the Giallorossi, especially after the draw at San Siro which gives a great opportunity to further distance Napoli. “It will be a difficult match, they have changed the coach but I have also seen the other matches – Fonseca's analysis. – Against Napoli and Inter they put in good performances, they play well and they have good players”. More than the quality of the swallows, however dubious given the last place in the standings, the physical conditions of Roma will make the difference, which in the last defeat in Parma had revealed enormous difficulties. The Giallorossi then have a not indifferent problem with goals, best expressed by Dzeko's fasting, scored only once in the last 10 games.
“I'm sure he will unlock against Brescia” Fonseca said, thus loading his number 9 with further responsibilities. For the rest, given the usual very long list of unavailable players (Zappacosta, Cristante, Kalinic, Pastore, Diawara, Mkhitaryan and Spinazzola) and the ostracism towards Florenzi ("I don't care what the newspapers write, I'll do my own thing" reiterated the technician), the choices are essentially forced, therefore 4-2-3-1 with Pau Lopez in goal, Santon, Smalling, Fazio and Kolarov in defense, Mancini and Veretout in midfield, Under, Zaniolo and Kluivert in the trocar, Dzeko in attack. At Brescia, on the other hand, once again, the talk is above all about Balotelli, who was not called up by Grosso after the argument on Thursday afternoon, when the coach had dismissed him from training.
“I demand great pace and intensity in training, he didn't do it and was sidelined – thundered the Berlin hero. – I don't feel like minimizing or inflating the story, for me it will be crucial to use everyone, then I can get to a certain point”. Harsh words, which combined with those expressed privately by Cellino could induce Balotelli to pack his bags as early as January, probably away from Italy (in Turkey there is talk of an interest from Galatasaray). However, Grosso is more interested in trying to score points in Rome, a very difficult mission that he will attempt through a 4-3-3 with Joronen between the posts, Sabelli, Magnani, Cistana and Martella in the back, Bisoli, Tonali and Romulo in the midfield, Spalek, Donnarumma and Torregrossa in the offensive trident.
