Nerazzurri overwhelming against Roma and out of the crisis that had brought Milan and Naples closer together. Tricolor closer but above all Chivu has found all its leaders
Inter is back and it is no coincidence that the return to normality coincided with the recovery of captain Lautaro Martinez and Calhanoglu at full capacity. The great fear has been dispelled, at least for one night because the calendar still gives whoever emerges victorious from the Maradona match between Napoli and Milan (with a draw two thirds of the scudetto can be sewn on the Nerazzurri’s chest) the chance to believe it. More than the three points, which were very important in interrupting a period of decline that was beginning to worry the Inter fans, it was the way in which Inter overwhelmed Roma that sent a clear message to the championship.
The perfect night for Inter and their struggling leaders
If he wanted to design the perfect night for Inter, the director of the San Siro evening couldn’t have done better. Double for Lautaro Martinez who was missing from the Bodo trip and who hadn’t scored at San Siro since January. Goals and assists (double) for Thuramanother disappearance of the month of March. And angry network of Stretcherfinished in the blue meat grinder, with a corollary standing ovation for Sticks who after metaphorical slaps and spit, got his fill of love from his people. Before kick-off Marotta spread a protective blanket over the defender, explaining that there is no automatic mechanism that could link this winter’s difficulties to a sale next summer; the next few weeks will tell, but today is what Inter needed to get going again.
The road to Scudetto number 21 in Inter’s history will still be long, but the reaction against Roma puts it further downhill than it was on an eve filled with ghosts and nervousness which can be explained well by remembering what happened to this group last May. With the engines off it would have been difficult to get to the end, if the spirit and physical condition (in comforting recovery) are those of San Siro the perspective changes a lot. Napoli and Milan take to the pitch at Maradona knowing that only one can hope to keep the contest open until the end, but also with the knowledge that the league leaders are back running and playing as they haven’t done for almost two months.
Rome, so the Champions League is becoming a nightmare
And Rome? It’s difficult to explain such a clear defeat to someone who has only seen the first half. After being overwhelmed by the Nerazzurri wave at the beginning, Gasperini’s team rose to take control of the pitch and the match. Mancini’s equalizer was the logical consequence of this phase of dominance which ended when Calhanoglu demolished Svilar’s goal. After the recovery, the collapse.
From Gatti’s goal in the last breath of the match against Juventus came three defeats and a victory against Lecce plus the expulsion from the Europa League at the hands of Bologna. It means, remaining in the championship, having burned everything that had been built before, forcing a comeback that is very complicated to imagine for a group that loses at the first difficulty. The calculation is easy: three points scored in four games. So the Champions League isn’t even a dream but becomes a permanent fixture on the sofa.
