More than a good game. Milan and Rome stick to the first and confirm all the perplexities of the eve: the proclamations on the search for entertainment have mercilessly collided with the limits of two roses still too incomplete to compete at best.
Of course, the "black jersey" of the day belongs to Giampaolo's team and not only for the result: what was seriously worrying, more than the 1-0 final, was the sad and colorless performance, as evidenced by the absolute lack of balls goals created. Scenario in sharp contrast with the expectations created by Giampaolo, taken by the club precisely for his offensive and brilliant football, and instead his Milan is light years away from all this, so much so that clubs and fans were already alarmed in August. The absence of new signings in the starting line-up and the evident chaos on the transfer market can be a justification, the tactical experiments (Calhanoglu director, Borini midfielder, Suso attacking midfielder, Castillejo second striker) and the proclamations of early July ("head up and let's play soccer”) but no. The current reality was seen in Udine, with a predictable Milan on a tactical level and spompo beyond any reasonable expectation physically: the result was a bad match, in which Udinese had the upper hand thanks to a header from Becao on the developments by a corner (72').
Before and after so much boredom and a rather bright referee yellow: the touch with Samir's arm, in the light of the new rules, could be punished with penalty. “It is an episode that could have changed the fate of the match but I think the referees still need to have their own discretion – commented Giampaolo. – Losing is never a pleasure but the match has given me various indications, it's not a question of Suso or Castillejo in different roles, but Piatek also has different characteristics and plays as a first striker. We have to work, we will certainly put ourselves differently. It's not their fault, but my job is not to distort my players: I'll make some changes." The feeling is that if there isn't any help from the transfer market (see Correa, much more suited to playing playmaker than the bewildered Suso) we'll go back to 4-3-3, in defiance of most of the summer job.
We are not at these levels, but not too far away, instead in Roma, where we have to deal with the 3-3 home draw against Genoa. There is no doubt that a draw is better than losing, but certainly such a "strange" result against a team that, until two months ago, was fighting not to relegate leaves one perplexed, especially since next Sunday there will be the derby and Lazio seen yesterday (3-0 in Marassi against Sampdoria) is definitely scary. Crazy match at the Olimpico, in perfect Fonseca style: the coach had asked for a show in the offensive phase, but forgot to talk about the defense. Department that, moreover, needs interventions on the transfer market, otherwise the Fazio-Juan Jesus couple (look at the penalty foul on Pinamonti to believe) risks being the only certainty (?). And to think that the game started immediately with Under unlocking it thanks to a splendid personal action (6'), but then here was the first mistake of the evening punished by a Pinamonti in the Under 20 version (16').
Things seemed to be put back in order by Dzeko's great goal, back in the center of Rome and author of a great play (30'), but shortly after came the madness of Juan Jesus, unfortunate in committing a penalty foul, then converted from Criscito (43'). At the start of the second half, a free-kick by Kolarov put the Giallorossi back in front (49'), Genoa however didn't give up and in the 70th minute, following another defensive error, they found a new equalizer with Kouamé, setting the result at the definitive 3-3. “We started very well, the problem was the defensive phase – Fonseca's analysis. – We dominated offensively but we need to find balance, Genoa managed to score us 3 goals at home, so it becomes difficult to win. We need to improve a lot and prepare for the derby as best we can."
Tonight instead it will be Inter's turn, another great expectation of this championship. In fact, Conte's Nerazzurri are considered potential rivals of Juventus and Napoli, partly for their coat of arms but a lot, if not above all, for summer signings, among which Lukaku and the coach himself stand out. The San Siro match against Lecce (20.45 pm) will therefore give the first indications of their real value, waiting for the market to do the rest.
“What I can say is that the run-up has begun, we are building something important – confirmed Conte without hiding. – I have to be objective and admit that there is still an important gap with Juve and Napoli, but I have always said that we must not set ourselves limits but work well, better than the others. Only time, then, will tell us what we will fight for”. Words that supercharge Inter's support beyond measure, already proving to be champion of the season ticket rankings (40, more than anyone in Italy) and ready to crowd San Siro starting this evening, when there will be 65 for the match against newly promoted Lecce. Among them will be Icardi, whose story, despite not being called up, could be close to a turning point. While the radio market continues to indicate Juve as a possible destination Wanda Nara, present at Tiki Taka like every self-respecting Sunday, reiterated how Mauro's future could still be at Inter.
“He thinks his story in this club isn't over yet – revealed the Argentinian's wife-agent. Maybe someone told him to stay. Who? Maybe what he commands… ”. The mystery therefore thickens, but in the meantime it's time to think about the field and the match against Lecce, to be won at all costs to start off on the right foot. Conte will face them with a 3-5-2 with Handanovic in goal, D'Ambrosio, De Vrij and Skriniar in defense, Candreva, Vecino, Brozovic, Sensi and Asamoah in midfield, Lautaro and Lukaku in attack. Liverani, making his debut in Serie A, will attempt the feat with a 4-3-1-2 that will see Gabriel between the posts, Rispoli, Rossettini, Lucioni and Calderoni in the back, Petriccione, Tachtsidis and Majer in the midfield, Falco in the trocar in support of the offensive couple made up of La Mantia and Lapadula.
