Between Roma and Milan, only the Diavolo shines. Inter fly, but the Super Cup is a trap

In their fifth consecutive victory at the San Siro, AC Milan had only one slip-up after Parades' 2-1: a penalty resulting from Calabria's naivety against Pellegrini. For a quarter of an hour, Roma regained courage without really stinging.

Which, however, Hernandez did when, well served by Giroud, he sealed the challenge with that peremptory left-footed shot that goalkeeper Svilar, starting in place of Luis Patricio, did not even see coming.

Milan seem to have definitely turned their back on the crisis. More complicated instead is the future of Mourinho who, in addition to never having beaten Pioli, finds himself with a disappointing record both in Italy and in Europe. His 'movementism', more of a leader than a coach, has only earned him disqualifications. And the irritation of the referees, right at the wrong time.

Mou's smug victimhood appeals to the fans, but much less to the American managers, who are now wondering whether they should break away from the cumbersome former king of Trigoria come June. We will see, because Mourinho is still a Special One. But what is special, apart from a modest ranking, is all we can see.

Let's face it: after the half-hearted misstep against Verona, which resurrected old, never-quenched fears, Inter had deluded its pursuers. Or those who gloat behind their backs because too much superiority, even in football, tires you out in the long run. And it arouses envy, which is not nice, but very human.

We were wrong. Forget New Year's crises. Other than prima donna neurasthenia. Other than the first landslides after the long autumn dominance. Instead, Inter, who ate up poor, tender Monza (5-1), issued a loud and clear warning to their pursuers, namely Allegri's Bianconeri. Inter's warning is this: have no illusions. We won't drop the bone even under torture. A brutal attitude that was well expressed in the first quarter of an hour with Monza when Inzaghi's lads nipped at the guests with a hunger of yesteryear. And after Calhanoglu and Lautaro's goals, in the second half they continued the work of demolishing Monza, leaving Thuram the task of completing the 'manita'.

It is true that Juve, if they beat Sassuolo tomorrow, have the chance to move to within two points of Inter. Which is very likely given the fierce tenacity with which the Bianconeri move. But a 5-1, obtained with this ease, is worth double: it gives strength to those who do it, turning them from gazelle into lion, and it cuts the legs off those who chase. That is why Inzaghi, like Russell Crowe in 'Gladiator' told his men: "Unleash Hell!" Because he knows that although Inter are more structured than Juve, they now face a crucial junction - that of the Super Cup in Arabia - which will force the Nerazzurri, after returning from Riyadh, to postpone the match with Atalanta. Postponing a match is not the end of the world, but if Juve win tomorrow and then in the next round, Inzaghi would find himself with Allegri one point ahead. Not a pleasant situation, which brings to mind when Inter, two years ago, dragging out that pending recovery with Bologna, ended up leaving the Scudetto to Pioli's Milan.

History, even football history, never repeats itself in the same way. But because of this, Inzaghi gave his team a good shake-up. Go and strike: and show no mercy for anyone.

That our football is in a bad way, at least in finances, can be seen by the fact that our teams are going to play the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. It's fine that the prize is over 7 million, it's fine that our league canteen is poor, but how sad that we have to transfer four of our teams to Arabia to play this trophy. Sarri said as much and for once we agree with him. "This is anything but sport, it is a 'take the money and run' in a short-sighted way. We go begging around the world. If modern football is like this I'm happy to be old'.

Well said: a sad folly. Poor but ugly. The English and the Spanish, who cherish tradition, take care. In addition to money, we unfortunately also lack pride. And it is astonishing that the fans, always ready to get worked up over a penalty not given, do not bat an eyelid.

A surprise from Florence. Fiorentina, while regaining fourth place at 34, stumbled with Udinese not going beyond a draw (2-2) that slowed their march towards the Champions League. 'We want to stay at the top,' said Italiano, the lily-head coach. Well, up there he stayed, but with the Friulani he risked slipping badly in a match always in the guests' chase. Twice in fact Udinese went ahead (with Lovric and Thauvin) and twice Fiorentina came back with Beltran and Nzola on a penalty kick. After the stop with Sassuolo, a setback with Udinese. A 2024 without fireworks.

Sarri's team continues its ascent towards the upper echelons of the league table. And it does so in a contradictory manner: playing more Allegri-style than Sarri-style. That is, favouring the result over the spectacle. Even against Lecce, Lazio did not do wonderful things. In the first half it even risked going under. In the second half, thanks to a greater technical content (Luis Alberto invents, Filipe Anderson scores), they conquered their fourth consecutive victory in the championship, moving up to 33 behind Bologna. Aesthetics enthusiasts will not like Sarri's turnaround, but it works.

What's up with Thiago Motta's team? Too much praise? The arrival of cold weather? It seemed like a perfect clock, but suddenly it stopped. One point in three games is a relegation average, not the average of a team with great ambitions, as Bologna had led us to believe. Once again, with Cagliari, the Emiliani deflated after a decent half-hour in which they had taken the lead through Orsolini. But afterwards, when Ranieri recomposed his men, darkness fell for the Emiliani. First Petagna and then Calafiori's own goal certified this new false step in part conditioned by the absence of Zirkzee, the flying Dutchman who stands out even when he is not there.

In the big pile-up towards Europe, Napoli also managed to stay in the running thanks to a painful victory over Salernitana (2-1). A success achieved in extremis more by the force of desperation than by convincing play. Credit to Rhamani, who took advantage of a botch-up by the Campona defence and managed, at least for a few days, to give respite to an increasingly neurotic and depressed atmosphere. "It's a working Napoli," said Mazzarri in order not to be overwhelmed by the looming pessimism now that the partenopei go to Arabia for the Super Cup.

Furious Salernitana president Iervolino: 'These referees are the worst in the history of football. I want justice and respect. Rocchi, the draughtsman, must resign'. Even Pippo Inzaghi, usually more cautious, is riding a whimpering race that certainly won't help Salernitana in the future. "The defeat is undeserved, on the 2-1 goal there was a foul by Femme, we feel mocked," Inzaghi concluded, throwing more petrol on the fire. For the record, the foul was absolutely venial. Calming down is indeed urgent.