Milan goes to Europe, Inter saves face. Sunday of victories for the Milanese, albeit with decidedly different effects. If that of the Rossoneri, in fact, is worth the return to the cups after three years of abstinence, that of the Nerazzurri has no value in the standings but ends up interrupting a negative streak that lasted for 8 games. European verdict already decided in the afternoon, with Milan victorious over Bologna and therefore mathematically sixth in the standings. A much less obvious success than the final result says, a round 3-0 which however arrived in the second half, moreover in the second half. Up until Deulofeu's goal, Milan had been rather gray, and this despite a Bologna that was anything but combative and a San Siro dressed up for the occasion. So the Spaniard took care of chasing away the ghosts, symbol of a second round in which he was undoubtedly the best of his, with a nice right-footed volley on an assist from Mati Fernandez (69 ').
From then on, a downhill match, with Honda sensationally on the shields: the Japanese, who entered in place of a dull (and very booed) Bacca on 0-0, gave the maneuver more unpredictability and even indulged in scoring the 2nd -0 with a nice free kick (73'). Lapadula placed the exclamation point with a close tap-in in full recovery (91'), thus certifying Milan's sixth place: it won't be like winning the Scudetto but certainly returning to Europe after 3 years of absence, albeit starting from the preliminaries end of July, has its weight. “I'm very satisfied, we've achieved all our early season goals – commented Montella happily. – The boys have shown that they have desire and soul, I'm proud of what they've done, and then getting ahead of Inter is undoubtedly a pleasure. Now we will work with the management for the future, reversing the course will be difficult but Milan must inevitably have great ambitions".
The same goes for the Nerazzurri too, who however will have to start again without the European cups. It must be said that this was known well before the match against Lazio, which had to be faced just for the sake of saving face after the terrifying score in the last period, which finished with 2 points in 8 games. Losing in Rome too would have meant the worst streak in Inter's history, a shame that had to be avoided regardless of the goals in the standings. The start didn't bode well, with Lazio already leading in the 18th minute thanks to a penalty from Keita, decreed by referee Di Bello for a foul by Murillo on Felipe Anderson.
Down by a goal and with a good part of the away sector emptied disconsolately: the ingredients for defeat were all there, but then Inter, thanks to a slightly distracted Lazio, woke up. Andreolli equalized with a nice header (31'), Hoedt gave the 2-1 with a rather grotesque own goal (37') and Eder also made it 3-1 in the second half, starting in place of the injured player Icardi (74'). The biancocelesti thus collected their second consecutive defeat within the friendly walls of the Olimpico and ended the match even with 9 men due to the expulsions of Keita (questionable simulation) and Lulic (this instead unquestionable), Inter for its part savored the joy of the three points, albeit with the usual, inevitable, chance.
When Vecchi, after inserting Santon and Pinamonti, decided to let Banega enter, Gabigol exploded with anger and left the bench during the game. “The club will certainly intervene – commented the coach. – I prefer to talk about victory, it is from these little things that we have to start again. This time we were very careful and I saw that right energy that was lacking in the past”.
