The decisive 48 hours of Milan. Inter and Milan are preparing to experience two days of fire, which in all likelihood will indelibly affect the rest of the season. We start from the field, which today will see the nerazzurri guests of Sassuolo (at 12.30) and the rossoneri at home against Parma (at 20.45) to then finish with the transfer market, which has now entered the final rush. It is forbidden for both to fail these appointments: it affects the European ambitions, already very complicated in themselves even if not yet completely compromised.
“We hope to do well in Reggio Emilia even if it won't be easy, Sassuolo are having a great championship – Mancini's analysis. – We have to try to improve even more, something has been seen so far but there have been few victories".
True, on the other hand, the numbers speak for themselves: since the coach from Jesi returned to the Inter bench, there have only been two wins in nine Serie A games. Too little to really aspire to third place, now 10 points away. yet the Nerazzurri still believe in it. The conviction derives from the number of races available to move up the standings (18) but also, if not above all, from the market, which has already seen them strengthen a lot and which probably still has some "bang" to give.
“We need a defender and a midfielder, the squad must be more complete – admitted Mancini. – Honestly, however, we have never talked about Cassano, he only released himself a few days ago. Right now we're focused on other positions, then we'll see what happens." The message, not so veiled, is clear: Fantantonio likes it but the priorities, at the moment, are different (in any case, free agents can be registered until February 25th). Full speed ahead then on Rhodolfo del Gremio ("I've been following him for years" said Mancio) or, alternatively, Benalouane from Atalanta, while the Diarra track remains very hot for the midfield (also like Ledesma from Lazio).
However, all of this is subject to today's match, which Inter will have to face with a real emergency in defense. D'Ambrosio, Campagnaro, Andreolli and Nagatomo joined the long-term patient Jonathan, while Juan Jesus still has to serve a one-match ban. At the Mapei Stadium we will see an ultra-experimental rearguard with Donkor and Obi as full-backs and the Ranocchia-Vidic duo in the middle. Instead, everyone is available from the waist up, apart from the purged Osvaldo (probably he will return to Southampton even if he pushes for Juve). Medel and Guarin will form the midfield duo, Palacio, Kovacic and Shaqiri will form the attacking midfield line, behind the lone striker Podolski, preferred to the criticized (by Mancini) Icardi. Di Francesco will respond with the usual 4-3-3 in which Berardi, Zaza and Sansone will try to sting Handanovic, in an attempt to erase the very heavy defeat of the first leg (0-7!) which made the AC Milan player Squinzi so angry. The patron will cheer from the grandstand and then devote himself to the other team in his life, the AC Milan one. In fact, the postponement will see Milan at the San Siro against the ducals last in the standings: a match to be won, at all costs.
“Parma seen in the Coppa Italia can cause us problems, it will be a complicated match – explained Inzaghi. – But we are pissed off and this bodes well for me. We have to get out of this negative moment and turn the season around, it's been a very tough month for everyone. Victory must come by force”. In short, this is really the last resort, especially for him. "I've never been afraid of the exemption, we are united and we will get out of the crisis" the speech of Superpippo, called to get up after the beatings of the last few weeks. Waiting for Antonelli (all done with Genoa, the full-back will arrive on loan with a redemption obligation set at 4,5 million) and, perhaps, Munoz, the coach is ready to play the Destro card, who arrived on Thursday and is ready to take the field from the first minute.
In the new formation (4-4-2 chameleonic) the ex Roma player will act as first striker together with Menez, supported by Honda (preferred to Cerci) and by a rather patched midfield. This evening, in fact, both De Jong and Montolivo will be missing, both out due to physical problems: in their place Van Ginkel and Muntari, with Poli on the outside. Many defections also in defense, where in addition to the disqualified Mexes, De Sciglio, Zapata, Bonera and Abate will be missing, blocked by an injury in the final finishing. The 4-man line will thus see the debut of the other new signing, that Bocchetti taken this week from Spartak Moscow, together with Albertazzi, Alex and Rami.
Donadoni's Parma, bringing up the rear with only 9 points, will try to get back up with the usual 4-3-3, in which, in addition to the former Nocerino, Palladino and the new signings Varela and Rodriguez will play. In the meantime, Milan scored an off-field goal, the most important of all in perspective. In fact, Barbara Berlusconi officially presented the project for the new stadium, which will be built in the Portello area (the old Fiera) for the 2018/19 season. Capacity of 48 seats, equipped with restaurants, a hotel and even a high school: a futuristic facility, an important step for the future. That the world Milan hopes much more rosy than the present.
