The commentary on matchday number 15 of the championship

Big on stage, all together: rich menu, from 12.30pm to late evening. The four winners of the Scudetto in the last twenty years face so-called provincial teams, but let’s not be fooled by appearances: no one can afford breaks. First of all, we find out that Diavolo is at lunch. At San Siro, Milan hosts Sassuolo, who evoke contrasting flashbacks for Allegri: in 2008 he signed the Emilians’ first promotion to Serie B, the same team that cost him a sack in 2014. Waters gone, the present for the Rossoneri is a full week, which requires the management of forces. Also awaited by the commitment in Arabia, Max gives priority to the championship. A club accustomed to varying on multiple fronts also finds itself out of the Italian Cup, so it shouldn’t snub anything: everything makes sense. We need to reflect, without going back too far in time: just a year ago, Milan lifted the trophy in Arabia with Sergio Conceiçao, who danced with a cigar in his mouth, only to then be shown the door. The Super Cup is okay, but it can’t be enough. The Milanese leaders showed an allergy to the newly promoted teams: defeat against Cremonese and draw with Pisa. The 20 points place Sassuolo in eighth place and manage to make an impression even without Berardi, so maximum attention. Allegri won’t have Leao, he can have Pulisic, he offers another spotlight to the expensive Nkunku. To continue the race at the top, however, a permanent center forward will be needed to be found in the transfer window.

Naples

—

The other ranking leader has the honor and burden of dividing her time between Italy, Europe and Arabia. Napoli in Udine are looking for their fourth consecutive win in Serie A, in theory Conte shouldn’t complain, in the meantime he continues to make mistakes here and there, so much so that after the knockout in the Champions League he admits that there is a bit of tiredness. And that away legacy resurfaces when you least expect it: in Europe this year not even a point has been collected in three matches, five of the seven total knockouts for Antonio’s Napoli have come away from Maradona. Unlike Allegri, Conte can deploy a real nine, Hojlund, waiting for Lukaku to return to the pits. It’s a delicate period for the Italian champions: they have to go “a’ nuttata” after the stops of De Bruyne, Anguissa, Lobotka and Gilmour. The winter test will be to stay at high altitude in Serie A, play for the Super Cup and give everything in the last two rounds of the Champions League maxi-group, in the hunt for the playoffs. The project is complicated, but if it were to resurface at least one top would be within the reach of the Azzurri.

inter

—

Inter also wants to make up for it after a fall abroad, which in any case does not compromise their chances of going directly to the round of 16. Unfavorable episodes weigh heavily on the Nerazzurri’s path, both against Atletico and Liverpool. In any case, Chivu is the first to be aware that his team need to make further progress in managing the match, given certain worrying holiday periods within the 90 minutes. They don’t have half measures: they boast the best attack of the tournament with 32 points, they have achieved ten victories, but they have already suffered four defeats, no draws. It sounds strange for a group that last season lost the championship by a whisker and reached the Champions League final with full merit, but Chivu must complete the maturation process of his team and himself. Today’s match at Marassi, against a Genoa team that has achieved five useful results in a row, is an indicative test.

juventus

—

Rossoblù everywhere, the Grifone for Inter and Bologna for Juve. Italiano and Spalletti compete in a direct clash for the Champions League zone. The Bianconeri, after the defeat in Naples, took a breath of fresh air with their first home victory in the Champions League. A lot of effort, three points: that’s fine too. Bologna are not Pafos, they have a two-point advantage, they are holders of the Italian Cup and for three years they have been classified in the higher bracket. If Juve wants to avoid losing sight of the train to Europe, they will have to provide better performances. The most championship-winning club maintains a strong appeal, as demonstrated by the offer from Tether, which as a minority shareholder is aiming for a total takeover. Elkann rejects the assault of the cryptocurrency giant, which would now buy a crypto-team: from time to time Spalletti’s collective lets a glimpse of its potential, but often remains virtual. Luciano averages 1.6 points per day in Serie A, eight in five games. The much desired Lady in her heart believes she is worth much more: she will also need a boost on the field.