Milan and Inter, goals and points at the end of the match: will the derby be decided there?

It’s not a real third half, because here no one goes to socialize with their opponents at the end of the game. If anything, it is a third half of the “field”, an appendix of the game that illuminates the finals, changes the history of the matches, brings joy and dispenses nightmares: it is everything that happens from minute number 80 onwards. And often, many things happen. A segment of the clock that Milan and Inter have learned to manage well in the attacking phase and which, therefore, presents itself as a potentially decisive scenario also in Sunday’s derby. Chivu, and especially Allegri, often repeat it: matches are long and rarely end in the ninetieth minute. Well-executed management when the most hasty fans have already left the stands can change the face of the match. Since the average recovery times have increased, having 5-6 extra minutes available often equates to more points brought home.

errors

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Or it may also depend on the race plan. From the way of interpreting the matches. A valid factor especially for Milan, who often find themselves the prisoner of less than intense management, or with excessive errors in front of goal, in the first part of the match. The first half was sometimes given away, only to find ourselves with the clock looming in the final laps of the clock. In this context, credit must be given to Allegri for having managed several times to recover or overturn compromised matches, with all due respect to the fans who wonder why the team should only react when it is in deep trouble. The victory in Cremona, thanks to which the Devil somehow manages to fuel the hope of finding themselves -7 behind Inter on Sunday night, is one of these cases. Pavlovic’s goal in the 90th minute, the epitaph on Leao’s match in the 94th minute, for a result that probably didn’t upset Inter too much, but made Napoli, Roma and Juve curse loudly.

the figures

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The numbers show that Milan have gained 6 points in this championship thanks to goals scored from the 80th minute onwards. Among the big teams, only Napoli did better (7 points), followed by Juve (4), Inter (2) and Roma (0). However, the Nerazzurri are the ones who have lost the most: 5. Then Roma (3 points) and Napoli (1), while Milan and Juve have not lost a single one. Remarkable and precious: having defensive stability when time is running out and the ball is hot is a considerable advantage. In terms of goals scored by substitute players, Inter has the loudest voice: 11. Next are Juve (8), Milan and Roma (6), Naples (3). The Nerazzurri, remaining in terms of goalscoring, are also confirmed at the top in overall terms, again with reference from the 80th minute onwards: 14 goals scored, separated by 9 between Milan and Juve, then Napoli with 7 and Rome with 2. Be careful, however: Inter are also the big teams that have collected the most in that period of time: 7. Then Roma (6), Naples (3), Milan and Juve (2). Wanting to draw a quick conclusion in view of the derby: in the “third half” Inter were more prolific but also more distracted in the defensive phase, Milan more careful and capable so far of not losing precious points. Sunday night at the Meazza promises to be an incandescent finale.