Between Inter and Napoli, defences win. Piling up at the top: six teams within three points

Six teams in three points. We were saying that a small revolution is underway that no one had remotely hypothesised this summer. In fact, teams that usually, despite having illustrious traditions, are almost always on the fringes of the Scudetto tour are raising the crest. In particular, Atalanta, who, in the wake of their new victory over Udinese (2-1), are being loudly called upon by their fans to assume the responsibility they are now due: that is, to finally become great by aiming for the Scudetto. Gasperini, the architect of this growth, naturally throws water on the fire ('The fans can dream, but talking about the Scudetto now makes no sense'), but by now he can no longer avoid it. Unless they nail Atalanta to the role of the eternal Jambourrasca, which first frightens the big teams but then, when the time comes, retreats into its reassuring comfort zone of spectacle for its own sake. But in addition to Atalanta, Fiorentina and Lazio are also in the running, all at 25, all launched and increasingly aware of their value.

The Viola, on their sixth consecutive victory, overwhelmed Verona (3-1) with a hat-trick from Moise Kean. The unleashed national team striker has already reached eight goals. It was all fat for Luciano Spalletti, in the stands enjoying the spectacle, but also for Palladino's team, increasingly convincing in terms of play and continuity. On Kean, considered a modest second best this summer, a long discourse should be opened on the great market strategists, given that Juventus (Giuntoli's ears must be ringing) let him slip away, considering him out of their plans due to his character, which cannot always be tamed. For Fiorentina's coffers, a real bargain. For those of the Bianconeri club, much less. It is true that Madama has many youngsters on the rise, but in short, leaving a bomber with the potential and age of Kean (24 years old) on the street is no reason to boast.

Lazio, who went through Monza 1-0 (Zaccagni's fine goal) are also part of the rampant trio at 25. With its tenth success in the last 11 matches (between championship and cup), Baroni's team is travelling with the wind in its sails, also enjoying the growth of its players, ten of whom, starting with the blue Nicolò Rovella, have been called up by their respective national teams. Winning helps to win. It increases self-esteem and above all the economic value of the squad, which has doubled since this summer.

Bad news instead for Roma. Yet another poor showing against Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico (2-3) after 53 shaky days cost Juric his bench. The Croatian coach was exonerated with one of those statements ('thank him for his hard work, he managed a difficult environment with the utmost professionalism...') that say everything and nothing. The fourth home defeat confirmed that, by now, the team was no longer following him. It is a society in disarray, the Giallorossi's, with the Friedkin presidency harshly contested by the Curva Sud, who abandoned the stands at half-time. Hard to see a way out. After De Rossi and Juric himself, the most popular name is that of Roberto Mancini, who, however, demands an agreement of at least two years. There is also talk of a return of De Rossi, still under contract. How to say? To the worst, in these cases, there is never an end.

Returning to the big teams, good news comes from Juventus, fresh from an agile success (2-0) in the Turin derby. Little countered by the granata (more and more in disarray, weighed down by Zapata's injury), Motta's team, driven by Cambiaso's slaloms and Conceicao's crosses, won in fluency with the goals of Wheah and Yildiz, by now more and more protagonist in the bianconero attack. Solid in defence, and cynical in its conclusions, Juve continued its march towards the summit. Besides Inter and Napoli, Atalanta permitting, it is the third force in the tournament.

It's hard to understand what Milan, on the other hand, is, which is truly extraordinary in overturning any prediction. If at the Bernabeu they amazed everyone by beating Real, on Saturday in Cagliari they once again managed to make people talk about themselves: but this time in a negative way, above all because of the incredible amnesia of their defence, churned out three times by Nicola's red-blacks, who were much more concrete and determined than Ancelotti's Blancos. Too many holes, too many inattentions, almost inexplicable in a team that would have Scudetto ambitions. And thank goodness that the much-vilified Leao, with his irrepressible blitzes, signed a double that (with Abraham's third goal) at least served to salvage the draw. A draw that, however, added little. It is true that Milan missed the game with Bologna, but now, on 18 points like the Rossoblù, they are out of Europe. Fonseca rightly blames Teo Hernandez ('he could have defended better...'), but the Portuguese coach cannot always pull out by blaming his best players time after time.

And Fonseca i what is he doing on the bench? We are now in November, there is no shortage of time to secure this poor devil. Magnificent with Inter and Real trembling with the provincials. Strange behaviour. As Massimo Troisi used to say, having to choose between a day as a lion and a hundred as a sheep, better to make 50 as a teddy bear.