The derby of answers. Challenge number 223 between Milan and Inter (170 in Series A) it represents a sort of exam for both, a real turning point towards their respective objectives. In summary, from Sunday night, nothing will be the same again, not even in the event of a draw: that too, in fact, should be evaluated together with the results of the pursuers, Rome in the lead. Ranieri's team will face today the Spal (18 pm) with the awareness of being able to take on Inter and get close to just one point from Milan: if that were the case (and Semplici will do everything to make sure it doesn't happen) tomorrow evening's derby would carry a huge load of tension on its shoulders, in perfect symbiosis with the prize money of the Champions League. Compared to the first leg, the roles have been sensationally reversed: on 21 October Spalletti was very fast and the Icardi goal projected it to dream big, Gattuso instead he was living a very complicated moment and that defeat, it goes sans dire, it only made him worse, so much so as to bring him to the brink of exoneration. After 5 months everything is different, starting with the standings which sees the Rossoneri in third place and the Nerazzurri in fourth. The point that separates them, in itself, means little or nothing, but if we go back to the end of the first leg, with Inter at +8, it takes on very different contours.
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Last but not least, as they would say in the USA, there is the elimination from the Europa League by theEintracht, a very fresh debacle that adds further spice to the San Siro challenge. Spalletti, despite being heartened by Marotta ("it's not his faults" he explained after Thursday's game), knows he has a lot of future in the Nerazzurri at stake, assuming that the club hasn't already decided to move on regardless of Champions League qualification . Even Gattuso, however, cannot be calm: if it is true that the latest results have it brought back, so is that a lost derby would risk resetting everything. His Milan comes from a series of very positive results, but the game still leaves something to be desired and only a victory would give definitive promotion, especially as Inter would slip to minus 4. Who must take advantage of the Milanese derby is undoubtedly Roma, which in case of victory would grab fourth place, thus dramatically increasing the pressure on San Siro. Ranieri wants to continue his success with Empoli and will therefore confirm Monday's 4-2-3-1 with Olsen in goal, Santon, Fazio, Juan Jesus and Karsdorp in defense, Cristante e Nzonzi in midfield, Zaniolo, Schick and El Shaarawy behind the only striker Dzeko. Simple, called to score points to detach himself a little from the dangerous area, he will respond with a 3-5-2 that will see Viviano between the posts, Cionek, Bonifazi and Felipe in the back department, Lazzari, Kurtic, Missiroli, Murgia and Fares in the median, Paloschi e Petagna in attack.
