One point to stop the crisis, but Inter can no longer win. Against Lazio at San Siro, Spalletti's team did not go beyond the 0-0 draw, but what should worry most is the sensational offensive sterility: in the last six official matches (including the two in the Coppa Italia against Pordenone and Milan), Icardi and
teammates only scored once (against Udinese), showing great difficulty in being able to put into practice a workload that was in any case well below what he was able to do in recent months.
And if it hadn't been for a gross mistake by Felipe Anderson (right wide with almost empty goal)
and a couple of excellent interventions by Handanovic, perhaps Lazio could have brought home the full prize. For Inter there was only an excellent chance from Perisic in the first half and a shot from Borja Valero in the second half, with referee Rocchi first conceding and then removing a penalty against Lazio at the suggestion of Var
hand ball by Skriniar (however the ball had touched the defender's foot first): "We have to reach an important share of points - commented Spalletti after the match -, we have to face the matches as we did today, risking but with great conviction and with the right mindset.
Up until now, Inter have scored a lot of points and had a good championship”. After the match there was also a question and answer with Simone Inzaghi about the Var: “Let's say that doing the math – said the Lazio coach -, with tonight's two points there are seven points missing. Nothing takes away
to what we are doing but let's say that this Var with Lazio is not lucky. My balance is absolutely negative because it takes away the emotions of football: now after a goal we don't hug each other anymore ".
Spalletti replied: “The spectators at home and the journalists will comment on what he said.
I can say the same thing or something different but what interests me is that Inter played a very good match. We had the same chances, Strakosha made great saves from Borja Valero and Perisic, but I'm not interested in repeating what the others say. I just want to compliment
to my players."
A week ago Milan, losing 2-0 at home against Atalanta, reached the nadir of their already troubled season. A week later he was in the semifinals of the Coppa Italia after eliminating Inter and with one point more in the standings after the draw in Florence.
A comeback result, something new for the Rossoneri who this year had never managed to take the reins of a match after the initial disadvantage. Simeone's goal (Bonucci's marking error was serious) seemed yet another negative sign, but Calhanoglu's immediate equalizer gave the Rossoneri hopes back and a point in the standings to hold on to: "We didn't want to lose because we knew what
we spent in the derby – said Gattuso after the match -. Some players weren't at the top but we played the match we had to play.
We risked very little and for the first time we were good at reacting and equalizing. I'm very happy because I'm liking the mentality of this group – he underlined -. We're not beautiful but we're starting to do things as a team."
Gattuso must also thank Donnarumma. This time not Antonio, protagonist in the cup derby, but the more famous Gigio, who saved the situation with a couple of important saves: “The most difficult save of this match? Definitely the exit on Simeone – said the Rossoneri goalkeeper -, however
I thank the whole team because in a difficult moment they have always been with me. My brother protagonist of the derby? I'm proud of him because he was ready. January market? I have a 4-year contract and I'm fine at Milan."
The Rossoneri's satisfaction is answered by the Viola's disappointment, with Stefano Pioli complaining in particular about Romagnoli's failure to red: “We only played – his comment -, we played the game. It's really a shame I didn't win. The Var is there and sometimes makes the right decisions, but it wasn't today
Like this. Romagnoli was playing red because he was the last man and also because of the violence of the foul ”.
