L’Inter Milan has seriously credited its ambitions to finally dethrone the Juventus Turin, nine-time reigning Italian champion, dominating the Bianconeri (2-0) Sunday at San Siro in the shock of the 18th day of A league. A header from Arturo Vidal, finally decisive for Inter (12th), and a surgical counter concluded by Nicolo Barella (52nd) gave the Nerazzuri their first success over the Bianconeri since September 2016 (and seven games without a win) .
– R.Lukaku Bolingoli9 (@ RomeluLukaku9) January 17, 2021
More aggressive and more direct in the game, the Interists temporarily come back to the height of theAC Milan, leader expected Monday in Cagliari at the end of this penultimate stage of the first leg. Juventus, harmless and beaten for the second time in the league, fell to 5th place in the standings, seven lengths from the two Milan clubs (but with 1 game late).
In San Siro, in the absence of supporters and chants in the stands, the atmosphere was ensured at kickoff by a giant fireworks display fired above the stadium. On the lawn, the rockets were almost exclusively blue and black, after the initial wet firecracker that was a goal refused for offside to Cristiano Ronaldo, following a joi shot from Adrien Rabiot (10th).
Vidal lights the fuse
The Milanese fuse was lit by Arturo Vidal with a powerful header at the reception of a cross from Nicolo Barella (12th). First league goal for the Chilean, whose season is finally launched after opening his counter in the Italian Cup this week in 8th against Fiorentina from a penalty spot (2-1 ap). The former Turinese has only soberly celebrated this goal so important against a club with which he won four league titles.
The Interists, domineering, would have deserved to put a second before the break but Lautaro Martinez twice (23rd close and 32nd at eighteen meters) then Romelu Lukaku (38th crushed strike) spoiled these break points.
– R.Lukaku Bolingoli9 (@ RomeluLukaku9) January 17, 2021
Juventus, very pale, could not adjust their offensives. Federico Chiesa, who had done so much harm to AC Milan (1-3) on this same lawn a week earlier, did not pierce and Cristiano Ronaldo was reduced to distant strikes, without danger (33rd, 37th). It is therefore quite logical that Inter took off after returning from the locker room, after a great full-axis recovery concluded by Barella (52nd), scorer after having been a passer.
Naples se replace
The best defense in the championship seemed lost, with Bonucci and Chielini looking their age. Ronaldo smiled with annoyance and Andrea Pirlo saw it again while throwing Dejan Kulusevski, Weston McKennie and Federico Bernadeschi (59th). This will not upset the meaning of a match that Inter wanted more, Juve having to wait for an attempt by Chiesa at the very end of the match to really worry Samir Handanovic, impeccable at the time (87th).
This victory, after the lost points against Sampdoria (1-2) and Roma (2-2), revives Inter. Even if AC Milan can regain three points in advance on Monday evening in case of success in Cagliari, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic restored but without Théo Hernandez nor Hakan Calhanoglu, positive for the coronavirus. Rossoneri more and more clinging to this surprise first place, a rediscovered ambition reflected in their desire to recruit Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic in the transfer window, who arrived in Milan on Sunday evening to sign up for six months, according to Italian media.
Four days away from playing Juventus for the first trophy of the season, the Italian Supercup, Naples for its part took advantage of the missteps of Juve but also of Roma, crushed Friday by Lazio (3-0), and Atalanta Bergamo, slowed down by Genoa (0-0): here is Napoli returned to third place after crushing Fiorentina (6-0). With a brilliant badge: two goals and an assist after an acrobatic number in the middle of five players of the Viola on the 3-0.
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