Football, the crayfish race. Milan slip up with Lazio (1-0) and Inter breathe a sigh of relief

So much for running and chasing the title. This is the race of shrimps. Or more benevolently of tired turtles. Paradoxically, the winner is Inter, who, after having slowed down at home against Atalanta, end up one point ahead of AC Milan, who lost (1-0) in the post-match match at the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio, a clamorous opportunity to put the wind up their cousins, who were very nervous and in visible physical and mental decline.

The referees, as usual on Saturday, had taken it upon themselves to raise another fuss which, however, in the face of the Rossoneri's downfall, ended in chivalry. The setback for the Diavolo, who now find themselves eight points behind Inter, is in fact much heavier than the point lost, because it allows the leaders to breathe a sigh of relief, chasing away their ghosts: which are those of losing, once again, when the goal is near.

With nine days to go, the race theoretically still remains open. However, Dane Gustav Isaksen's goal (26') courtesy of Estupinan, decisive in the opposite direction to the Milan derby, cooled what could have become an exciting last-gasp chase. Defeated for the first time in an away match, Allegri's team, as on other occasions in the past, were unable to bite, waiting for the initiative of their opponents, who were very combative, despite their many absences, thanks also to the support of the fans who had returned en masse after the latest heavy protestations. The absence of Rabiot, badly replaced by Jashari, reduced Milan's thrust and the incisiveness of their attackers. Allegri tried to make a change, inventing a pinwheel of substitutions which, however, did not produce the desired effect. The twist came 25 minutes from the end when Allegri inserted Fullkrug and Nkunku in place of Fofana and Leao. The Portuguese, who was not very active, took it badly, almost crying when he refused the coach's embrace. An episode that reopens the usual torment about the performance of a great talent that fails to be a champion to the full. There is always a shadow in his career that holds him back. It is true that his role is not that of a centre forward, but, despite the nine goals to his credit, he almost never lights up as he should. A few flashes, every now and then a nice goal, but also many pauses, too many, which irritate fans and teammates. It should be noted, however, that Lazio goalkeeper, 21-year-old Edoardo Motta, was the best on the pitch. And that Athekame, with a quarter of an hour to go, had a beautiful goal cancelled out for an earlier hand foul. Now, however, Milan (60 points), having lost a precious bonus, must also look over their shoulders. Behind, the other bigs are closing in. Napoli is third, at 59. And the increasingly rampant Como, victorious over Roma, is fourth with 54 points. Juventus and Roma follow in fifth and sixth position. In short, everything is open for the Champions League.

Inter-Atalanta 1-1. You can say what you want, be indignant, cry conspiracy, rightly get angry with the Var system that does not intervene (especially on Scalvini's kick in the area to Frattesi) and with the referee Manganiello who does not see, does not hear and does not speak, but the real truth is that Inter played badly. Without nerve, without rhythm, with the same phlegm with which they had lost the derby with Milan a week earlier. This is the legitimate criticism that must be made of Chivu's team, unable to liquidate an opponent that a few days earlier had been beaten like a carpet by Bayern. There is also much to be said about Chivu, who, stepping out of the mask of tolerant and conversational coach, got himself badly sent off, transmitting anxiety and nervousness to his players. It's three games that Inter haven't won, scoring only one goal. The absence of charismatic leaders like Lautaro and Calhanoglu is felt. It was an unloaded leader who got caught by an Atalanta well rebuilt in the second half by Palladino. After Pio Esposito's goal (a kind gift from goalkeeper Carnesecchi), Inter could have ended all talk with Thuram who, instead, wasted badly. In the second half, with the return of the Bergamaschi, Inter also dropped athletically. As for Krostic's equalizer, it is useless to complain: Sulemana's previous push, denounced by Dumfries, is not whistled even at the Good Samaritan tournament. The problem is that Inter must react to a negative cycle and a general physical and mental decline. Now it is up to her: she will have to meet first Fiorentina and then, after the break, Roma and Como. If it comes out well from this not easy triptych, every plot will vanish like snow in spring. Last notation: there is a certain sense of encirclement around Inter for the post-Bastoni. Let it be clear: criminalising him is wrong. The 'case' must be closed. But that there is now an indignation to the contrary is equally absurd. Those gestures, those simulations, further complicate the work of the referees who are already so unbalanced and challenged. There is not a team that has not complained about some wrong suffered. Paradoxically, referees and Var are democratic: they make mistakes with everyone.

Como-Roma 2-1. We have to take note. By now it has taken off. Como flies: now it is in fourth place and looks down on Juventus (fifth) and Roma (sixth), which it beat after a hard-fought game in which the Giallorossi scored immediately with a penalty by Malen, the seventh goal in ten games. The strength of Fabregas, and thus of Como, was to change everything, to shake up a challenge that was getting out of hand. With a winning move - switching to a real centre forward - to sting Gasp's rearguard very attentive until, on a Valle's feed, Douvikas beat a not irreproachable Svilar. The fragile balance of 1-1 was overturned 12 minutes from the end by Diego Carlos, who was able to close in on a spectacular rebound by Svilar from Smolcic's shot. It was a defeat, his tenth of the season, which did not please Gasperini, who was so angry at Wesley's sending-off that he did not shake Fabregas' hand. "I don't esteem Como for their behaviour on the pitch and on the bench". Fabregas' reply: "An unsportsmanlike and disrespectful gesture"