Il Napoli run away, the Milan keeps pace. The Azzurri and Rossoneri were expected to have two very complicated away matches against Fiorentina e Atalanta, in which they could lose precious points in terms of the Scudetto. Instead they both won, once again showing their potential to the competition, once again forced to postpone the comeback. Spalletti's team was able to overturn the result against the Viola with a mix of quality and cynicism typical of those aiming for important goals, Pioli's team took over from the start of the match in Bergamo, forcing Gasperini to raise the white flag. Reaching the break with victories like this gives enthusiasm and confidence, especially after the weekly defeats in Europe, which could leave waste and which have instead turned into precious fuel.
Il Napoli he started badly, conceding the goal of Martinez Fourth (28') and getting stuck in the mud built up by Italiano, until the usual Osimhen woke up. The Nigerian is probably the best striker in Serie A, capable of leaving his mark even on days when he can't find the way to the net: it was he who obtained the penalty from which the goal was born Lush (39', retaken after Insigne's mistake), essential to kick off the blue comeback. Which materialized in the second half thanks to a header by Rrahmani (50') following a free-kick from Zielinski, for a result that could have taken on even greater dimensions, if only there had been more nastiness in front of goal. In any case, the 3 points ended up in the safe, just like the first place in the standings, moreover with full points, which is making an entire city dream.
“It's not easy when you find these teams playing full-court one-on-ones – the words of Spalletti – I think in general that we played below our means. It was a somewhat painful game and we certainly managed it well, then we have two or three columns in defense we can count on…”.
A lot of satisfaction even at home Milan, where a very heartfelt victory is celebrated and not only for the strength of theAtalanta. Bergamo, in fact, represents for Pioli the lowest point (5-0 on 22 December 2019) and the highest (return to the Champions League on 23 May) at the same time: yesterday the "beautiful" match was played and the team prevailed much more than the 2-3 final says. Yes, because the Rossoneri took the lead after just 28 seconds with Calabria, they doubled their lead in the 43rd minute with a sumptuous Tonali, even went up 3-0 with Lion at 78'. The two final goals by Shoe (86' from a penalty) e Pasalic (94') dirty the scoresheet a bit, certainly not the performance, daughter of an offensive mentality now intrinsic to the whole squad, without exception.
“We played an excellent match, played well with intensity and energy – commented by Pioli – It is a heavy victory, which concludes a challenging period in which the team has always responded well. This group is growing, we must continue like this, it has been working in a certain way for two years. But now we must not be satisfied, but ride the enthusiasm”.
In the opposite mood Gasperini, forced to deal with a very different ranking compared to dreams at the beginning of the season, when someone was even talking about the Scudetto. “We conceded a goal after less than 30 seconds and one at the end of the first half, in the middle we had the opportunity to equalize – sighed the Nerazzurri coach -. If it had finished 0-1 in the first half there were more chances to draw, then in the second half a bit of mistrust took over and it was increasingly difficult: it's an unfortunate period, however I saw a very strong Milan”.
Fourth place, last useful to go to the Champions League, is taken like this Roma by Mourinho, who cancels the disappointment of the derby by beating theEmpoli with a quiet 2-0. Decisive goals as usual Pellegrini (42'), freshly renewed until 2026 and of Mkhitaryan (48'), quick to repeat Abraham's shot over the crossbar. Before and after a solid and controlled performance, without suffering too much from the opponents, just as Mourinho likes, who will thus be able to spend a more serene break, waiting for the October mini-cycle (Juventus, Naples and Milan) to reveal to all the true potential of his team.
“We played well, we were solid, compact and in control against a good Empoli – the analysis of Special One – After a defeat it's always nice to win, 15 points in 7 games is a good result. I look at the other teams and I see important changes, Inter against Sassuolo brought Dzeko and Vidal on from the bench. People have to understand our path, I was calm with four victories and I am even after the defeat in a special match like the derby".
And speaking of the Roman derby, one cannot fail to mention the Sarri's Lazio, triumphant a week ago and clearly defeated yesterday a Bologna. Dall'Ara's 3-0 is not a false result, in the light of a disastrous performance that will have aftermath even after the break: in fact, in the match against Inter on 16 October, Acerbi will be missing, sent off for a few words too many to the referee in the final, demonstrating a team still far from the right maturity. It had already been understood that something was wrong in recent days, when Sarri thundered against the League's decision to play the match at 12.30, 61 hours after the Europa League match against Lokomotiv. Evidently he had realized he had a tired team, but he couldn't expect such a collapse either, summed up perfectly by goals from Barrow (14'), Theater (17') and Hickey (68'), as well as fromexpulsion of Acerbi.
“We found a lively and reactive team, we were exhausted both physically and mentally, all the second balls were theirs – commented the blue and white coach – We have to understand why this match went like this, but the fact remains that we are the only team that played 61 hours after the Europa League match, we have to wage war in the League so that it doesn't happen again."
