The derby rewards the Rossoneri who move up to -7 behind the leaders: the scudetto race reopens. Also because the signs for Chivu are negative, while Allegri is now dreaming.
Milan wins and reopens the Scudetto race, not so much due to the points gap that remains in a still long ranking but due to the widespread feeling that Inter is going through the first, real, physical crisis of the season. It was the derby of Estupinian, who the Rossoneri fans would have preferred to see sitting on the bench in the event of Bartesaghi’s full recovery and who, instead, became the man of destiny by taking advantage of one of the league leaders’ many inaccuracies: this time a misreading of Luis Henrique.
The summary of Milan’s victory in one adjective: orderly. That of Inter’s defeat lies at the intersection of its having been slow, predictable, horizontal and tired. Very tired. And without alternatives in attack, if it is true that Thuram’s withdrawal forced Chivu to compete with only Bonny (irritating) and Pio Esposito. The bottom line is that Milan’s success is deserved and that Allegri, despite all the limitations of a poor team, knew and was able to play the match he had prepared without even making the effort of the first leg.
Milan, because believing in the scudetto is a duty
The first effect of the success is that the gap from fifth in the standings is now greater than that which separates Milan from the top: 9 points against 7. Therefore, from here on out, looking ahead and not behind becomes an obligation. The calendar lends a hand to the Rossoneri who have confirmed their enormous solidity. If they can defend with a low block without having to attack the opponent, they are almost impervious.
Maignan almost didn’t get his gloves dirty, the defense held up and the same goes for the midfield defense. If anything, the problems arose ahead because Leao and Pulisic offer no points of reference and, at this (long) moment not even an acceptable physical condition. Were they to be reborn in spring, anything would be possible.
Inter, how tired. And the absence of Lautaro Martinez weighs heavily
For Inter we cannot speak of a crisis, but there are signs that cannot be ignored. The match against Juventus had already been an effort decided by numerical superiority, but from then on the light seemed to go out. Six matches passed between Bodo Glimt and the derby with only two victories and overall negative performances. It is physiological that the team has a decline after seven months at full speed, but the question is whether Chivu has the weapons to remedy it now that the calendar is increasing in difficulty.
Atalanta at San Siro, away to Florence and – after the break – Roma at home and a trip from Fabregas’ Como: the Nerazzurri need to find some brilliance and a couple of overly important men. The first is Calhanoglu, who didn’t even enter the derby: the Turkish director is essential. And then Lautaro Martinez without whom the attack stopped scoring: 5 games and zero goals from the department.
