Rome dreams, Milan makes up for a historic fool, Lazio and Inter are preparing to have their say. Saturday's advances intertwine with Sunday's matches for both the Champions League and the Europa League, without obviously forgetting the race for salvation. The ranking would require starting from the victory of Roma but the biggest news comes instead from San Siro, where Gattuso's Milan remedied a sensational defeat with Benevento bringing up the rear. An unthinkable result on the eve and instead became a reality thanks to Iemmello's goal (16') and an ugly and anonymous performance by the Rossoneri, who have now officially returned to the tunnel of the crisis. The last victory dates back to more than a month ago, then a series of gray draws and finally the climax against De Zerbi's team, without successes away from Vigorito until yesterday. One could say that the Samnites should always play against Milan, given that they already scored their first point in Serie A in their history in the first leg, moreover with a goal from goalkeeper Brignoli, unfortunately for them however it is not possible and in fact relegation, however postponed, it will arrive soon. In the meantime, however, a historic success remains at San Siro and the consequent foolishness of the Rossoneri, now also at risk for the Europa League.
“The team is going through a period of involution and unfortunately when you play without a soul you make a fool of yourself – commented Gattuso disconsolately. – I am primarily responsible, but now we have to change register: you cannot play without desire, without competitive fury. The only thing I feel like doing is apologizing to the fans." A festive Saturday therefore for the Giallorossi teams, given that, as previously mentioned, Roma also won. A very heavy success both for the third place secured (even in the event of Lazio's victory over Sampdoria) and for the excellent performance offered, a good encouragement to dive to all intents and purposes into the semi-final of the Champions League. On Tuesday there will be Liverpool, yesterday stopped at 2-2 by West Bromwich bottom of the standings: a trap that could also have happened to Di Francesco and instead the away game in Ferrara proved to be more than easy, despite an important turnover. 3-0 victory and several key men rested (Dzeko and De Rossi) or replaced before the end (Strootman and Nainggolan): it is difficult to hope for a better mix, especially at the home of one of the toughest freshmen in the league. “I saw many positive things, the good approach and the mental work done during the week worked – commented the Giallorossi coach. – Now we are ready for the Champions League, qualification also passes from the first leg and therefore we will have to be very prepared”. It's difficult to predict how it will go, Roma are certainly going through an excellent moment both technically and psychologically, as demonstrated yesterday. Al Mazza feared a mangy game, instead the Giallorossi, after having unlocked it with a little luck (own goal by Vicari in the 33rd minute), brought it home without problems, rounding up with Nainggolan (52') and Schick (60' ), finally unlocked after a very complicated year.
Now the ball passes to Inter and Lazio, who in the afternoon (15 pm) will compete remotely for the last place that leads to the Champions League. The Nerazzurri will visit Maran's Chievo, the Biancocelesti will host Giampaolo's Sampdoria: on paper the most difficult commitment seems to be that of Inzaghi but the league, at this point, lives more on motivation than on technical values and therefore the Veronese , just 3 points from the relegation zone, shouldn't be underestimated. “They need salvation points and the sooner they get them, the sooner they'll be calmer – acknowledged Spalletti. – My parents must know that Chievo knows how to manage these moments, so they will have to put in something more: at this point there are no calculations of any kind". Just winning, here is the coach's recipe and actually it's hard to blame him. Failing today with Juve on the doorstep would be unforgivable, which is why Spalletti will be looking for 3 points at all costs. Bentegodi will miss Gagliardini, for the rest it will be the usual 4-2-3-1 with Handanovic in goal, Cancello, Skriniar, Miranda and D'Ambrosio in defence, Vecino and Brozovic in midfield, Candreva, Borja Valero and Perisic behind the Icardi striker. Maran will respond with the usual 4-4-2, therefore Sorrentino between the posts, Cacciatore, Bani, Tomovic and Jaroszynski in the back, Castro, Hetemaj, Radovanovic and Giaccarini in the halfback, Inglese and Stepinski in attack.
