Unbelievable but true: in tennis we own the world! Serie A, Napoli go ahead thanks to Lukaku

Returning to the championship, we said that Napoli were back on top thanks to a goal from Lukaku (the only flash, but decisive) that allowed Conte to beat his friend Ranieri, back on the Giallorossi bench. It was a false start for Ranieri, although Roma, despite building little (only a Dovbyk cross to their credit), came out with their heads held high. For Napoli, who had not won since the end of October, three precious points to avoid being caught by the train of pursuers. A train on which Lazio, victorious 3-0 in the post-match match against Bologna, also remained hooked. Baroni's team, with the wind in their sails, from the 35th minute took advantage of numerical superiority due to the expulsion of Pobega, punished for double admonition. It was a magical moment for the Biancocelesti who, by keeping second place, continued their chase of Napoli. Which despite winning, let's face it, doesn't do crazy. They score little, create few chances. In the end Lukaku solves everything, even when he plays badly. What Conte wanted, though.

For the first time, perhaps thanks to Verona's surrender (five goals in half an hour), Inzaghi's team conveyed the feeling of a return to last year's levels. Five away goals, to say the least, had not been scored since 1964, when they overwhelmed Sampdoria in Genoa. But beyond the statistical reminders, the Nerazzurri seem to have rediscovered the right nastiness of the strongest. Inzaghi has a huge advantage: that of an extra-large bench that allows him to rotate on both fronts (league and Champions League) without suffering too much. With Lautaro feverish, this time Joaquin Correa, a top-notch talent who has so far remained on the sidelines, has stepped up to the plate. The Argentine, in addition to the goal, hit two posts, while also providing two framing assists. Then, with Thuram unleashed (a brace in two minutes), everything went smoothly, allowing the Nerazzurri to save their energy for tomorrow's challenge against Leipzig, last but not least in the Champions League.

Atalanta, which is now moving like a big shot (3-1 in Parma, seventh win in a row in the league), is convincing even the sceptics. Hiding is now difficult. What is striking is the grit with which La Dea enters the field. It immediately goes in goal with Retegui. It suffered a slight drop at the beginning of the second half, but then conceded nothing more, already thinking about the Bern match against Young Boys. The impression is that Gasperini, too, is thinking about the Scudetto. His is now a defined project. Maybe he will not win the title, but if it happens, nobody will be surprised. The role of Atalanta is also being played by Fiorentina who, winning in Como (0-2), achieved their seventh success in a row, keeping pace with the chasing group. Adli, more and more master of the midfield, opens the scoring, and doubles the usual Kean, already at nine goals like Thuram.

On Milan and Juventus, fresh from an acute orchitis zero-zero, it is better to draw a pious veil. Someone distinguishes by pointing out that the Bianconeri, without strikers, achieved the desired goal: another draw (the seventh) that confirms the strength of their defence in a challenge where it would have been up to the Rossoneri to win in order not to lose the Scudetto train.

Right considerations, however, that leave out a not secondary aspect: that Thiago Motta arrived in Turin not to emulate Allegri but to bring a fresher, more unprejudiced football. This great change, however, has yet to be seen. Everyone claims that Motta's team is on the rise, but given how the chasing quartet is running, it will be good for the pensive Motta to get a move on. Not so much because of the gap (four points) to the leader, but because he gives the feeling of being content, of having, in short, the short arm in a championship, instead, where the rivals increase the revs.

The booing at the San Siro was mainly directed at the Diavolo, but Juventus should not consider themselves free of sin either. As for Milan, what can I say? It lacks balance, a line of continuity. When it plays in attack, the defence becomes a sieve. When it closes down, the attack disappears. In such an important challenge, he only shot once on goal. Not a flash, not a jolt of pride.

And Fonseca? He enjoys playing dumb. 'I play too slow, as a fan I would have booed too,' the Portuguese commented hotly. But who is leading Milan? He is the coach. It is Fonseca who imprints the team, not a Martian landed from another galaxy. It's as if the CEO of a company in crisis were telling employees and shareholders that it's bad luck to go bankrupt. And that anyway, if he were a customer, he would be careful not to buy his products.

More than candour this is paraculaggy. But worse is the silence of the club, which leaves him alone. Today Milan are nine lengths behind Inter. Last year, with the much maligned Pioli, Milan came second. Perhaps there is something not quite right.