In the tournament of the 'cascatori Bastoni' in the storm. Absurd Var rules and the refereeing system under indictment

The message is clear: play smart, you will go far. A very Italia defect, well embodied in Alberto Sordi's films, that it is high time we left behind us. The great champions, who must be champions not only when they pass the cash register, also have great responsibilities. They set an example. And Bastoni's behaviour, without crucifying him, is not exactly an edifying example. And even Chivu, who justifies it by saying that Kalulu, already cautioned, should not have raised his arm, does not come out well. A defence of office, that of the Inter coach, which does him no credit by tarnishing his image, so far much respected. As for the match, we said that it was beautiful and fought until the last breath. And it says that Juve, furious or not, is still alive and kicking; and that Inter, with this further elongation achieved by finally beating a rival, takes an important step towards the Scudetto. Some frailties remain: especially in defence (collective sleep) as on the occasion of Cambiaso's goal. For the rest, however, it has grown exponentially, well led by Chivu, who has made them forget the horrible end to last year's season. Milan are chasing it, but can only be frightening if their heavy artillery (Leao and Pulisc) returns to strike.

With a few too many problems, and thanks to a super Modric who, in the final, signed the winning goal, the Diavolo continued their personal chase after Inter and a hypothetical Scudetto, which Allegri has never mentioned before ("Our goal is to go to the Champions League...). In fact, if you look at the standings, the only team that can perhaps make Inter anxious is precisely Milan. A strange Milan, which has not lost for 23 games, but which almost never gives the feeling of strength and authority. They win a bit like that, Allegri-style, but go ahead despite the fact that some of their best players are not exactly at their best, starting with Pulisic and Leao, who Allegri then inserted to give a move to a flooded Diavolo. Switching to a 4-3-3, Milan regained command of the game, winning thanks in part to the tenacity of Modric, a man who at 40 never gives up a shot. A bit like this Diavolo allegriano who does not want to get too far behind Inter in view of the derby on 8 March. A pivot that could be decisive for both the Nerazzurri and the Rossoneri, who, by winning, would have the chance to reopen the Scudetto discourse. To aim for this goal, Milan must not make any false steps with unbeatable teams. Well, Milan must first face Como in the recovery at home, and already this, with Rabiot disqualified, will not be a trivial step. Next comes Parma and then the away match with Cremonese, the only team that has beaten the Rossoneri so far.

inter, on the other hand, in addition to the challenges against Lecce (outside) and Genoa at home, will have to play four more matches between the Coppa Italia and the Champions League play-offs. In short, it will not be pretty this Milan, but it still has some good cards to play. There is also another scaramantico: having the breath on the neck of the cousins at Inter does not like. It evokes bad memories. In the three-point era, only twice has Milan reached 50 after 23 rounds, in 1995-'96 and 2003-'04. In both cases the Rossoneri won the Scudetto. To be superstitious, said a great actor, is not intelligent, but not believing in it brings bad luck.

The post-match encounter between Conte and Gasperini ended in an electric and hard-fought draw, which changed nothing as far as a Champions League place was concerned, while it pushed Napoli further away from the title race. Now the Neapolitans, who caught the visitors in the final with a strike from Brazilian Alisson, are third, 11 points behind Inter, who are increasingly in the runaway. Roma, twice ahead with Malen (5 goals in 5 games) are fourth with 47 points ahead of Juve (46).

It was a fine match, that of the Maradona, where Napoli, while dominating in possession, always had to chase Roma, who were already accelerating after the Dutchman's scorching goal (7 minutes). It would then take Spinazzola, with a powerful shot deflected by Pisilli, to put the challenge back on an even keel after about forty minutes. Roma were also more concrete in the second half. Napoli realised it when Wesley (70') sent Malen back to the penalty spot for the 1-2, which deluded Gasperini but did not deter the partenopei. It was then Alisson, served by Giovane, who signed the definite equaliser. The entrance of Alison, making his debut in A, changed the game. It should be noted: both the Brazilian and Giovane are two new additions that Napoli picked up three weeks ago from the winter market to replenish a squad decimated by injuries.

In an almost deserted Stadio Olimpico due to the fans' strike against president Lotito, the Bergamasque won the first of three close matches (the next in the Coppa Italia) against Lazio, overtaking Como in the sixth place in the standings. Lazio, without Zaccagni and Pedro, did what they could, keeping the game open and even hitting a post in the final with Ratkov. . Atalanta's first goal came with a penalty scored by Ederson at the end of the first half. The 2-0 came in the second half with a precise right-footed shot by Zalewski. Atalanta moved closer to Europe.

Who would have said it? Who would have said on the eve of the match that the troubled Fiorentina would have managed to overcome the lanky Coma in front of its home crowd? No one, but football is also liked because it is unpredictable. And not always, fortunately, does the best man win. So Fabregas' vain team, mirroring itself too much like Narcissus, stumbles in its presumption. While the Viola rises again with goals from Fagioli and Kean, both former Juventus players. The first is a beautiful piece of bravura completed by a rasoterra that surprises the Larian goalkeeper Butez. Kean, on the other hand, scored on a penalty awarded for a naive foul by Perrone on Mandragola. Como woke up in the final scoring the 2-1 thanks to an own goal by Parisi. However, Morata was sent off for a double yellow, infuriating Fabregas, who could not use him on Wednesday in the play-off against AC Milan.

Eppur si muove. It had been a month since Vincenzo Italiano's team had found victory (2-3 against Verona). Now, beating Torino at home, Bologna finally moved up the standings, overtaking Udinese and hooking Lazio on 33 points. The match against the Granata was decided by Castro, who turned Bernardeschi's pass into the net. It was a goal that, after four consecutive defeats, gave the Rossoblù breathing space. In the first half they had taken the lead thanks to an own-goal by Nikola Vlasic, who then signed, perhaps to amend himself, the momentary equaliser for a Torino who, after two consecutive useful results, again felt the threat of relegation.

In the end, on 93 minutes, the Emilians came out on top: but what a struggle! Despite the guests being numerically outnumbered since the 12th minute (Orban's folly), Parma made life difficult for themselves despite going ahead immediately through Bernabè. What should have been an easy game was further entangled by a naive penalty caused by Circati (on Bowie) and scored by Harroui. In the second half Parma, well countered by Verona, seemed nailed on the draw but Pellegrino, with a header, gave the Emilians three very important points for salvation in extremis.

Another false step for the Friulians who, after the defeat against Lecce, also lost at home against the neroverdi. A cold shower that came as a surprise because Udinese had taken the lead with Solet after only ten minutes. An already set victory was overturned instead by a fine double from Pinamonti, who returned to goal after three months. For Sassuolo three golden points that launch them into 11th place

What can we say? A challenge for salvation that will not remain in the collective memory. No goals, a certain dominance of the red and blue that, however, bore no fruit, many yawns and little enthusiasm. As they used to say, fear prevails. One point each and may God send them well.