Inter takes a step further, Milan hopes, Napoli reflects. European nights and their phrases
Inter are enjoying the passage of the round. Opens the Wednesday dances of the Champions League and Dzeko’s goals bring out a liberating scream. Inter returns to the second round of European nobility, they do so with one round to spare and the match in Madrid will only serve to crown the first of the group. An important milestone certainly but at this secondary point. Inzaghi’s path is embellished with another pearl. And since the comparison with Conte cannot avoid it, here is that in a group that is almost a photocopy of that of last season. Just in the week in which the first victory in the direct match arrived and Inter managed to shorten both on Napoli, beaten in the direct match, and on Milan. In short, a week to be framed. Week in which they wanted to sign the new Inter signings: Calhanoglu, Dzeko, Correa. As if to say that if it is true that departures were painful, arrivals immediately brought smiles. Where this team can arrive at the end of the season it is clear that we will not know: but Inzaghi’s work is following (and in some ways improving) that of his predecessor. And this European night is as if it were a small intermediate goal of hope for the future.
Speaking of hope: Milan keeps his alive. The Champions League victory has finally arrived. Moreover, on a very difficult field, where Atletico could optionally go to the second round. Winning with two goals would have facilitated the journey of Milan: the victory with Liverpool would have been enough, which in itself is not easy. Now either he arrives with several goals (at least 3, to grant a better overall goal difference than Atletico) or we have to hope that between Atletico and Porto it ends even. It is a possible facilitation. Not probable, not simple. But it exists. And this is already an advantage for Milan who, due to the way they have conducted this iron group, may also have some ramifications. A few mistakes too many risks being paid dearly, considering that then we were in a group (as mentioned very difficult). Now in two weeks at San Siro we will have to play the match of a lifetime against one of the best teams in Europe and then hope that there will be a right joint from Portugal. Where the draw would not really satisfy anyone, but where both teams have the opportunity to go through. So don’t take anything for granted, but think about yourself. And win, otherwise everything would be in vain.
Napoli returns from Moscow with a painful defeat. Spartak Moscow wins the double direct clash and takes place right in front of Napoli which in turn could be overcome today (if Legia-Leicester does not finish tied). In short, a qualification that could have been made safe has become damned complicated. Absences certainly weigh (many and very heavy) but it is not the only thing that bothered the Neapolitan environment yesterday. The result unleashed the Russian club: a heavy and poisonous atmosphere hovered around the match. That was tense. Spalletti’s failure to say goodbye has generated a lot of criticism among the opponents, the subject of several sarcastic tweets from the official profile of the Russian company. In short, a Mosca really believed in it. In Naples instead of the alarm bells they must start ringing. The defeat in the Europa League is not even deserved, especially given the second half played by Spalletti’s boys, but the numbers say that in the last 3 matches Napoli have conceded 6 goals, never won and indeed lost two games. It is nothing irreparable, God forbid pure. A victory is enough for Napoli too, without even watching what happens in the house of the others. As well as in the league despite the fact that opponents are now arriving, at least on paper, more complicated to deal with. But all this together (injuries, calendar, a less accentuated defensive solidity) will certainly push Spalletti to ask his players even more. Always taking into account that too high expectations risk being a big boomerang.
Allegri has more problems to solve at the moment. This time the music of the Champions League had no effect. From London, Juve returned with 4 goals and with the awareness that the gap with the very best in Europe is still very wide. And it’s not just a question of tactical attitude. It’s a question of physical brilliance, aggression, quality, habit, depth of the squad. But the role that the Italians will play in the near future. And a way will have to be found to try to shorten the gap anyway. And it cannot be said that Allegri is not trying.