A draw that makes Roma happy above all. The 2-2 between Napoli and Milan, in fact, consolidates the fifth place of the Giallorossi, now +2 on the Azzurri and +4 on the Rossoneri. But if, all in all, nothing changes for Gattuso's team (qualification for the Europa League is already certain thanks to the Italian Cup), for Pioli's it makes a big difference, also because De Zerbi's Sassuolo advances threateningly. However, it must be said that the Rossoneri, not later than 10 days ago, would have signed to collect 7 points between Lazio, Juve and Naples, especially as D'Aversa's downsized Parma will arrive at the San Siro on Wednesday. In short, all in all it can be said that the 2-2 draw at the San Paolo satisfied everyone, from a Gattuso eager for revenge to a Pioli determined not to give up anything.
"It's the first time I've challenged Milan, I've felt strong emotions, so many, this is the team that made me a man - the words of the blue coach - I have to get angry because when you create seven/eight goal chances you have to throw them in , and then for that penalty that I don't like: this year there is a world record in Serie A, we need to change the interpretation of the rule because that's another sport”.
“It was a very tough game both for the strength of Napoli and for the energy spent against Juve – the analysis of the Rossoneri coach. – We were good at staying inside the game even in moments of difficulty, in recent weeks we have met the strongest and if you come out of these matches like this, then you have your chances ”.
A fun game it had to be and a fun game it was, with two healthy teams determined to challenge each other head on. It was Milan who unblocked the balance with the usual Rebic-Hernandez couple, the first to finish and the second to score the sixth goal of his first excellent Italian championship (20'). But Napoli, back from 7 wins in their last 8, immediately reacted with Di Lorenzo, lucky to take advantage of Donnarumma's indecision and find the 1-1 (34').
In the second half, the Azzurri continued to push on the accelerator and in the 60th minute Mertens' paw, thanks to a detour by Romagnoli, found the precious advantage: for the Belgian there are 9 goals in the league, testifying to a newfound enthusiasm after the renewal signed during the lockdown. Pioli's Milan, however, is not a team that gives up and so, in the 71st minute, Bonaventura induces Maksimovic to foul in the area, for the 2-2 penalty converted by Kessié. The result remained unchanged until the end, despite Saelemaekers, who came on at the beginning of the second half in place of the lackluster Paquetà (the only one who did not benefit from Pioli's treatment), was sent off for a crazy double yellow card received between the 85th and the 88'.
To close the 32nd day will be instead Inter, engaged in the San Siro against Turin (21.45). A very delicate challenge for Conte, who has decided to overtake Atalanta and hook Lazio in second place: vice versa, therefore, in the event of yet another misstep, another great load of controversies would arrive, with all that follows.
During the week, after the draw in Verona, rumors multiplied about a possible farewell at the end of the season, with Allegri ready to take over his leadership: it would be a déjà vu given what happened in the summer of 2014 at Juve, moreover again with Marotta CEO, but at the moment it seems more like a fictional market rumor.
"We have to limit individual mistakes, at the moment we are paying dearly for them - the Nerazzurri coach cut short, preferring to concentrate only on the match - But the path is the right one, that of play, rhythm and pressure: I am satisfied with what I saw on Thursday. Torino have a superior quality to what the standings say, they started with other goals, now they are finding themselves and will want to come to San Siro to score points…”.
However, the Nerazzurri can no longer afford any gifts, also because the standings are still interesting: a win tonight, in fact, as well as the link to Lazio, would be worth a minus 8 from Juve. An objective that Conte will have to achieve without Lukaku, at rest after the blow to the thigh remedied in Verona and with a Brozovic still shaken by the stunt of the other night, which cost him his license for driving while intoxicated. The Nerazzurri 3-4-1-2 will see Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defence, Candreva, Brozovic, Gagliardini and Biraghi in midfield, Eriksen supporting the offensive duo made up of Lautaro Martinez and Sanchez.
Longo, reassured by the victory over Brescia, will try to shore up salvation with a 3-4-2-1 formation that will see Sirigu between the posts, Izzo, N'Kolou and Lyanco in the back, De Silvestri, Meité, Rincon and Ansaldi in the midfield , Verdi and Edera on the trocar, Belotti in attack.
