Napoli overtake. Inter increasingly in crisis, beaten also by Roma. Inzaghi under accusation

What can I say? Everything is still very fluid, but three points with four days to go is already a fair lead. There is also another perhaps decisive factor: Napoli is running away on the wings of enthusiasm. Inter, on the other hand, is in a dramatic physical and mental involution at the very top moment. And on Wednesday in the first Champions semi-final they will have to face Barcelona, fresh winners over Real Madrid in the splendid King's Cup final. There is no cause for optimism.

'If something can go wrong, it will' is reminiscent of the famous Murphy's law, the American aeronautical engineer who became famous for his less than auspicious maxims.

That's what Inter fans thought when they were overtaken by Napoli, coinciding with the Nerazzurri's third consecutive defeat without scoring a goal (never happened under Inzaghi) in three matches.

This latest fall with Ranieri's Roma is the proof that certifies the crisis of a team that until a fortnight ago, having overcome the Bayern hurdle, seemed even headed towards the mythical Triplete, the magic symbol of the Mourinho era, the Special One who turned everything he touched into gold. Inzaghi, never so much loved, was nevertheless esteemed. A mattatore of the dry finals certainly on his way to new national and European triumphs.

But now, after this new downfall suffered without ever a stir, except for the desperate protests over a suspected holding in the area on Bisseck, the situation is plummeting like in a Dario Argento film with the famous spectre of 'zero titles' in the background.

Soulé's goal in the 22nd minute should not mislead. Roma's victory was fully deserved. And if anything, for the chances created by the Giallorossi, it should have been more. Especially in the first half, after Pavard's exit (ankle problem), Inter never gave any signs of life, except a useless and sterile possession of the ball more soporific than a documentary on the life of mouflons. Same film in the second half, with Inter not scratching and Roma always lurking. As if drained, Inzaghi's team never got going. Only outbursts of anger, more frustration than strength, like when Lautaro, pushing Mancini to the ground, got a useless caution. Also useless were Frattesi's contortions, inaccurate and never on the ball. All this three days before the Champions League semi-final in Barcelona

Can a group in freefall like this stand up to the Spaniards? Usually there is a cup Inter and a league Inter. But now? While the duel with Napoli is not yet completely lost, the challenge with Barca looks like climbing an eight-thousand-mile peak without oxygen tanks.

There is another fierce aspect, fierce as football can be when things go wrong: that of the trial of Inzaghi, who in three games (re)became the goad against whom to lash out. After Bayern, Simone was a formidable leader. Now after these ten days that have upset Inter, he has become the symbol of Evil. So many accusations: the bad roster, the unhappy changes, the over-emphasis on the possible Triplete, the hysterical scenes from the sidelines have become indelible stains. Incredible that it only takes three matches to turn a thoroughbred into an ass. The club somehow tries to protect him. It repeats like a mantra that Simone deserves to be confirmed regardless, but we all know that these are just phrases to restore confidence in an environment that no longer knows what saint to devote itself to. It's a well-worn script that we already know. When the situation degenerates, everyone goes their own way, 'thanking the coach for his valuable work'.

Perhaps, but saying it afterwards is easy, Inzaghi's mistake was to chase all the goals. A presumptuous calculation. This football, with too many matches and too many injuries, does not allow it. 'He who wants too much, wants nothing,' says an old proverb that goes back to Aesop and matches the more popular 'Chi si contenta gode'.

And behind, the other aspirants for a place in Europe? Atalanta, drawing with Lecce (1-1) retained their third place (65) after a match conditioned by the memory of physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita and the protest of the Salentini, on the pitch with a white jersey and no logo, who did not want to play out of respect for the deceased. After a surreal start, the match was then decided by two penalties: first Karlsson's for the Salentini and then Retegui's for the hosts. But was it so complicated to meet Lecce's legitimate demands?

Juventus, everything easy with Monza Favourable round instead for Tudor's Bianconeri who overcame Monza (2-0, goals by Nico Gonzalez and Kolo Muani) to move back to fourth place while waiting to see what Bologna and Lazio will do today. It was an apparently quiet day complicated by the madness of Yildiz who, seconds before the interval, was sent off for elbowing Bianco. A positive day especially for Tudor who was pleased with the return to goal of Nico Gonzalez and Kolo Muani.

Fiorentina also did well, beating Empoli (2-1) with goals from Adli and Mandragora, extending their streak of useful results (6) in the championship and hooking Lazio in seventh place, at least until tonight. While the violets continue to chase the Champions League, Empoli, in goal with Fazzini, are increasingly sucked towards the B.