Flat line. The 0-0 between Milan and Juventus he photographs perfectly what was seen at San Siro, moreover on a field as ugly as the match. The eagerly awaited big match of the 23rd day never got going, partly due to the difficulties revealed by the two teams, much due to the fear of losing which definitely took over the desire to win.
Of course, in terms of the Scudetto it is a very heavy misstep, but perhaps Pioli, at least to date, is thinking more about protecting the Champions League area, established by an Allegri, in turn, more happy to stay in the slipstream than to be detached. The film of the match, moreover, confirms that some calculations had been made, because if something was seen in the first half, the same cannot be said of the second, where the Rossoneri and Bianconeri, in fact, they were equally satisfied. However, the image of two tired teams remains, in the throes of various problems, which perhaps the rest and transfer market will help to resolve.
The first serves above all to Milan, appeared down already from the Italian Cup match with Genoa and forced to deal with yet another injury to Ibra, came out after 28' with an Achilles tendon problem, the second instead, it being understood that Maldini too will have to prove something (the priority remains a defender, in the meantime, however, the 18-year-old striker Lazevic arrives from the Red Star), seems to mainly concern Juve, clinging to the dream of snatch Vlahovic from Fiorentina and thus launch the assault on the first positions. However, the present says something else, with the Rossoneri also weakened in the head after the clamorous defeat against Spezia and the Bianconeri unable to make even one shot on Maignan's goal (it is not a journalistic stretch: the score of the shots in the mirror, in fact, reads a resounding zero!).
“We played the right game for our moment and for the opponent, but we lacked something in the penalty area – Pioli's analysis -. We were not precise and decisive in the final game, then the pitch in these conditions didn't help us. The glass is half empty, but for the points lost against Spezia rather than for this draw. Now we'll have two games that will tell us a lot about our future, if we win the derby we'll stay close to Inter until the end, otherwise we'll have to sweat through qualification for the Champions League until the last day."
“It was a balanced game, a fair draw, but I'm satisfied because we kept Milan to 7 points – Allegri's -. There are still many races and for us staying at the right distance was important, in the event of a defeat we would have finished within 10. We want to finish in the top four and in the last few games we have earned many points, there are several games left and we have already played three direct matches".
Wins without any kind of problem instead for Naples and Rome, who have literally asphalted Salernitana and Empoli underneath an avalanche of goals. Only the goals scored are the same, because if Maradona's 4-1 was all in all predictable, the same cannot be said of Castellani's 4-2, where we saw the best seasonal performance of Mourinho's men, at least in the first time. In terms of standings, however, Spalletti smiles above all, having jumped to second place in cohabitation with Milan. The success of the Azzurri was never really in question, even if the Salernitana decimated by Covid and absences held their own for at least 45 ', proving that they are still alive in terms of salvation (obviously, the transfer market will be decisive).
Napoli had unlocked it first with Juan Jesus (17'), but then Bonazzoli had managed to find the sensational equalizer with a good turn in the only opportunity created by his team (33'). The match was dangerously heading towards a draw, but just before the break Veseli fouled Elmas, thus sending the penalty spot Mertens for the definitive overtaking (45'). Yes, because the second half was played practically one way, with Napoli scoring twice more (Rrahmani in the 47th minute and Insigne from a penalty in the 53rd minute) and Salernitana unable to react. “The boys immediately put things back in order after the goal conceded, but we could have done better – commented Spalletti -. In terms of malice and personality you have to work, there are matches in which you don't get many playable balls. When we take advantage of everything that happens to us, we will be able to say that we can aim for important goals".
Nice win for Roma, capable of conquering Empoli with a great first half, the best of the season, closed even at 0-4 thanks to braces from Abraham (24' and 33') and goals from Oliveira (35') and Zaniolo (37'). Then, as happened on other occasions, in the second half the Giallorossi loosened up a bit, allowing the Tuscans to score with Pinamonti (55') and Bajrami (72'), but beyond a few thrills (mainly son of the previous ones, see Juventus) brought home a very important victory, especially after the results of the competitors. "It's a great result, winning at Empoli isn't easy - Mourinho exulted -. After the draw between Lazio and Fiorentina it was important to win, I congratulate my team, but also Empoli who tried to recover. The second half? I think for you it was fantastic, if it was 5-0 people would have turned off the TV, so the audience remained high”.
Jokes aside, it is clear that victory weighs a lot too: now the Champions League zone 5 points away (even if Atalanta have one game less), Juve 4, Fiorentina and Lazio are behind us: in two weeks, after the break and with the market closed, the scenarios could become really interesting.
