A draw that leaves everything as before. Or almost, because today Milan could take advantage of the 1-1 draw between Napoli and Inter and leap to the top of the standings, albeit with one game more than the Nerazzurri. In any case, the direct confrontation with Maradona goes on file without creating particular jolts and the point, for a whole series of reasons, goes better for Inzaghi than for Spalletti. To begin with, it was Napoli that had to win to overcome the competition, not the other way around, and then the match had gone very well for the Azzurri, almost as to suggest a now certain overtaking.
A tense, blocked game was expected, but instead the result was unlocked after just 7' with a Insigne penalty, born from a nonsense of De Vrij (yet another of this period) on Osimhen. The advantage galvanized Napoli, who shortly after came close to doubling with Zielinski, stopped only by the beaten Handanovic from the post. However, Spalletti's dominance faded along the way, because Inter found distance and safety, waiting to place the shot at the first opportunity. Dzeko was rehearsing with a central header that Ospina saved without too many problems, but at the start of the second half he adjusted his aim and inflated the net with a close tap-in that chilled Maradona (47'). From there it was born another match, with two teams that are longer and more inclined to concede chances. They came from both sides, but no one was able to find the net anymore, thus leaving the result at 1-1: a good point for Inter, who will now have a downhill calendar, a little less for Napoli. who however still clings to the Scudetto train.
“We had a second half of great mental and psychological impact – commented by Farris, who appeared in place of the suspended Inzaghi -. Napoli are a great team and our skill was not only to draw, but also to try to win. We extinguished their enthusiasm and in the end there's a bit of regret, we had a little more petrol. The initial episode of the penalty could have directed her, but in the second half the great team that we are came out". “I'm very happy with this point and with the match because overall we played very well – explained Spalletti -. Even in the second half, even though we didn't manage much, there were important balls to put the result back in order. We grow from races like this, we experience these 95 minutes and try to be happy with the point made, they are truly a square team".
Today the ball passes to Milan, called to take advantage of Maradona's draw to gain points over their competitors. The match with the Sampdoria (12.30) presents itself as a great chance, provided however that one does not underestimate it and make mistakes already seen both this and last season. In fact, the Rossoneri can't afford to play at a slow pace, otherwise they become predictable and easy to read, when their legs are at their best, however, important things happen like with Inter and Lazio. “There has never been pessimism at Milanello, we have always worked with confidence – thought Pioli -. The strength of the group has been to continue doing it even in the less brilliant periods, now we continue to think from game to game, even if we are clearly satisfied with the last two.
Now only the one with Sampdoria counts and there is great concentration, they are still missing fifteen races and there are many. We just have to think about scoring as many points as possible, right now the gap between winning and not winning is thin, the details will make the difference." Even today Milan will have to do without Ibrahimovic, but his absence, in the light of Giroud's explosion (four goals in the last two games), is certainly less scary, furthermore the suspended Hernandez will also be missing, who will celebrate his contract renewal from the grandstand. Pioli will thus rely on a 4-2-3-1 with Maignan in goal, Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli and Florenzi in defense, Tonali and Kessié in midfield, Messias, Diaz and Leao in the trocar, Giroud in attack. Giampaolo, formerly not at all regretted by Maldini, will try to take his revenge with a 4-3-2-1 with Audero between the posts, Bereszynski, Ferrari, Colley and Murru in the back department, Candreva, Ekdal and Thorsby in the midfield, Sensi and Quagliarella behind the lone striker Caputo.
