In the end, Inter smiles. In the end, after having brought in the big names, after wasting a penalty kick with Arnautovic, after even risking going under, after experiencing a swing of emotions (seeing as Young Boys didn’t look like a sparring partner ). Inter does its duty and could have done it even earlier. A subdued start and match conduct from a team that appears to have not yet reached the balance of last season. The absences weigh heavily, as do the injuries which continue to worry Inzaghi in view of Sunday evening’s match and above all in view of this first tour de force of the season. But this year, with an even more scientific turnover (always injuries permitting) the answers given by the “alternatives” are satisfactory, but not yet at the level of the top 11. Replacing Calhanoglu for example turns out to be practically impossible (especially if he is then Asllani is also missing), up front this is certainly not the evening to say that the Nerazzurri players are all on the same level: the penalty not taken by Arnautovic adds to a series of errors that weigh on the shoulders of the Nerazzurri attacker and that they penalize well beyond their commitment. But then in the end the facts count: and the facts say that Thuram decides once again. Moreover with an assist from Dimarco (who also started from the bench). However, Inter held their ground, finishing in third place (with all UEFA criteria they are formally 7th), with the group of 7 teams and with a good outlook for the future. In short, a difficult match like the one in Rome. But like the one in Rome brought home, perhaps with even more suffering, but with the same result. Inter – for a whole series of reasons – are still not the perfect watch of last season. But precisely for this reason, the margins for growth give hope for the Nerazzurri environment.
Atalanta, in Europe and at home, is as if it has a “curse”. Given that the 5 points are certainly a good haul and that never having conceded a goal is certainly good news for Gasp, there is a lot of regret. The performance against Celtic matches the one against Arsenal: Atalanta did everything to win the match but didn’t manage to do so. It could have been a full haul and it would have been almost sensational. The growth of the Bergamo Nerazzurri in Europe is truly extraordinary. Last year the success in the Europa League, this year always convincing performances and always in credit with luck. Retegui, relentless in the Champions League, has not yet signed up. And in the two home games he could have done it. He didn’t succeed due to a matter of centimeters and perhaps chance, but having always said that this is the competition of details, we need to work on the details. But Atalanta always remains a marvel.
Net of Juventus’ performance, certainly not satisfactory, against Stuttgart, it is clear that interventions will necessarily have to be made in the January transfer window. Giuntoli’s statements before the match left room for interventions in defense. It is clear that Bremer’s injury can only force Juventus to strengthen their defensive package.
It’s true that today there are players in the squad (see Cabal and Danilo) who can also play as central defenders. But it is equally true that with such an intense season and the need to continue to be competitive there is a need for an additional “specialist”. And there seems to be little doubt about this. Also for the choices that Motta has made so far in choosing his men
Giuntoli was less direct regarding the attack. In fact, he didn’t actually talk about it at all. But – from what we understand – Juventus’ intention is to wait for Milik. The problem is that in order to wait for the Pole, today the Bianconeri are in a difficult situation, almost a perpetual emergency. Without wanting to cast doubt on Vlahovic, but when there is a need to replace him Thiago Motta is always forced to invent something. Something that hardly resembles a center forward. Milik’s recovery times were drastically lengthened: this was the problem. And this was not foreseeable. But this climate of uncertainty cannot be “endured” for the entire season. Milik would be returning from a particularly long stop and has hardly ever experienced a season free from physical problems. This is why Juventus should also think about the center forward regardless.
Milan’s victory, given how it developed, pushes the Rossoneri world to make many considerations. It was certainly a coincidence that as soon as Leao left, Milan managed to take the game to their own. It was a coincidence because everything happened too quickly and because a play by Leao or by Leao (who had already tried the same opportunity in the sixty minutes he had available) was replicated. It wasn’t a coincidence because Okafor succeeded and the Portuguese didn’t. Because Okafor had also succeeded against Udinese. And because then the play was also made by Chuckwueze on the other side of the field. It was perhaps destiny, rather than chance. Rejoicing while Leao returned to the bench, rejoicing without Leao under the curve, winning two games, one with the punishment in progress, the other with the fresh substitution. The Portuguese’s long face is understandable, but the path taken by Fonseca is clear: a different attitude is needed, because quality alone is not enough. Or at least it’s not enough anymore. Fonseca took a risk: half an hour from the end he removed Leao who wasn’t doing badly (not even particularly well, eh) in a match in which Milan were struggling to break through and in which a classy shot was needed. He succeeded in doing what he had first asked of Leao and this certainly gives him strength, precisely in the management of this “detail”.