In view of the Derby on Saturday, wandering through the streets of Milan (always wearing the mask), I notice a great optimism from the Milan fans. And some concern on the part of those at Inter. Same speech on social, which usually represent the litmus test of Italian supporters. There is. On the other hand, the Nerazzurri will miss almost half a team. And that’s not a way of saying. While the coronavirus absences of the Rossoneri – do not want Duarte and Gabbia – certainly cannot be in the least compared to the defections of the Beneamata. It should not be forgotten – and this is no small detail – that Pioli had many players in the squad available at this stop. Unlike Conte who a few days ago found himself with only 4 effective in Appiano Gentile. In addition – and this is an objective statistic – since playing behind closed doors, Milan has been very strong. Almost at the pace of the Scudetto. He started the season as he should, with only victories in the league, and qualifying, albeit risking an epochal fool, from the Europa League preliminaries. Inter are at – 2 in the standings. It creates a lot but is not as cynical as it might seem. Behind the dance and certainly the probable trio D’Ambrosio-De Vrij-Kolarov is not that of the very parties.
So all black for the Biscione? I would say absolutely not. Let’s turn the other side of the coin for the moment and try to read and interpret statistics and results. The Nerazzurri will certainly miss important players. And this time there won’t be a very long bench with 3/4/5 big players sitting next to the Salento coach at the start of the match. But a respectable formation will still be on the field. Competitive, which certainly has nothing to envy to that of rivals, indeed. So instead of crying about what could have been and what wasn’t, one should be satisfied with the squad available. It is also true that training with the whole group is important, indeed fundamental, especially in modern football where every detail can make a difference. But even in this context there are some details that can be loading for players of the Beneamata: practically everyone was decisive with their national teams. Barella best on the pitch against the Netherlands, Lukaku has climbed to 43 goals in 44 games with Belgium, Lautaro led Argentina to a victory in Bolivia that had been missing for 15 years, Sanchez has entered the history of Chile as the top scorer of the own country (with Vidal the usual leader showed himself), De Vrij canceled Dzeko and Immobile, while Eriksen scored three goals in as many games with Denmark.
What do you think this means? For me the answer is quite simple and obvious. These are strong players. Some have already demonstrated this in the past, others are starting to do so. It’s true, they haven’t won anything at Inter yet. In order to be considered 100% champions, and not just excellent athletes, they will necessarily have to raise some trophies with the Nerazzurri jersey. But the basics are now there, it is useless to hide. And if I were Antonio Conte I would say this to my boys before the Derby. “Respect Milan. I’m in a great moment of shape and mind. If you think you are taking the field and have already won for the 4 slaps of the last match, then we will face a fool. But if, on the contrary, you focus 100% on the match, fighting for every ball and with the desire to show your qualities again, you will leave San Siro with a smile on your face ”.
Inter are stronger than Milan. Even during a pandemic and even without several members. And opportunities can arise from difficulties. Like that of Eriksen, who will surely find some minutes during the race. Last season he was a cross, now the Dane is charged and I’m sure he can affect the match. Like Lukaku, what the pundits indicated as a curbstone, and who today without ifs and buts is the true king of Milan. Then of course, anything can happen in a Derby, but this is true for every match. So let the Nerazzurri show the world that they are still the first team in Milan.
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