High Flying Inter Milan Continue Their Scudetto March As Napoli Return To Winning Ways
Written By Onyeka Daniel
This weekend, the second half of the Serie A season kicked off after Inter Milan were crowned winter champions following their contentious 2-1 win over Hellas Verona last weekend and the Nerazzurri found Monza an easier opponent to deal with as they stretched their lead to five points pending when Juventus will play against Sassuolo on Tuesday.
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In the first game, it ended goalless between Genoa and Torino at the Marassi stadium. In the second game, Napoli needed a last minute goal to get the better of Salernitana at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium after the defending champions had gone behind to a wonderful strike from Antonio Candreva in the 29th minute.
The Partenopei drew level before the half time break courtesy of a penalty that was converted by Matteo Politano before a 96th minute goal from Amir Rrahmani sealed the win to ease the pressure on Walter Mazzarri after a run of bad results from last year left them off the pace in the top four race. In the next game, Hellas Verona were able to do a double over Empoli at the Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium with a 2-1 win after taking a 2 goal lead before the 60th minute.
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The away side reduced the deficit in the 64th minute and despite receiving a red card 87th minute, the home side were able to hang on for a win that would surely boost their chances of surviving relegation at the end of the season. In the last game, it was Monza VS Inter Milan at the U-power stadium and the Nerazzurri were able to put five goals past their host to continue their Scudetto march and their quest for that second star on their badge.
The League leaders got off to a great start as they were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute for a handball after a VAR review and it was duly converted by Hakan Calhanoglu. They soon doubled their lead two minutes later as Federico Dimarco laid the ball off for Lautaro Martinez who slots it into the back of the net from close range, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
Few minutes later, the home side thought they had opened their scoring but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. The first half ended 2-0 and the visitors continued from where they stopped in the second half as Marcus laid it up for Calhanoglu in the 60th minute for the Turkish international to grab a brace.
The home side finally got a goal from the penalty spot 9 minutes later, and was converted by their captain Matteo Pessina, who fires a low shot into the left of the net, giving goalkeeper Yann Sommer no chance. Inter weren’t done yet and Martinez also got a brace in the 84th minute as he scored from the penalty spot, putting the ball into the middle of the goal past the outstretched arm of Alessandro Sorrentino. Thuram would finally get his goal as he was set up by Henrik Mkhitaryan in the 88th minute to complete the rout.
Meanwhile…
Inter director Beppe Marotta confirmed that he called Massimiliano Allegri as well as Simone Inzaghi to replace Antonio Conte, while denying there is ‘an agreement’ with Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski. The Nerazzurri were crowned Winter Champions thanks to being top of the table at the midway stage of the season, although Juventus remain in very close pursuit and Marotta said this week they felt like hares being hunted.
“The reason I said that as a metaphor was because we were pelted with a lot of criticism, so we must remain on our toes and avoid those bullets, just as the hare does with the hunter’s rifle,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia before the game against Monza kicked off. “Inter’s main objective, as reflected by its history, is to try to win every competition it competes in. We must optimise our performance, but feel inferior to nobody. That is our dogma.
“The best team will win and if it’s not us, we take our hats off to them. Our aim is to compete to win, but we have never been so presumptuous as to say we will win the Scudetto. We will fight to the end and try to win.” What is it about being chased by Juventus that makes them a particularly dangerous adversary? “Juventus have a very experienced leader in Allegri and he drilled a strong mentality into his team. With their difficulties, including injuries, they are still extremely competitive. “As for us, we need to see this challenge as motivation.
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The media is constantly going on about the February 4 showdown, but we’ve seen points tend to be dropped against the mid-table teams, so I do not believe that match will be decisive for the Scudetto.” Marotta worked with Allegri at Juventus, so he does not deny that this is one of the coaches he called when Conte announced he was leaving Inter.
“We had to contact coaches when we knew there was going to be a change and went for those who were free agents. At that time, it included Allegri and Inzaghi, but we are very proud to have brought in Inzaghi, with all due respect to Allegri.” Inter have already made a signing in the January transfer window, bringing in Tajon Buchanan from Club Brugge to replace the injured Juan Cuadrado. That investment cost €7m, while Stefano Sensi is close to joining Leicester City, but Marotta rebuffs suggestions they are looking for new forwards.
“We have the most prolific attack in Serie A this season with 48 goals, so there is no real need to sign new forwards for this season.” Marko Arnautovic had a nightmare against Verona last week, missing an open goal and even accidentally blocking another shot on the line. “Lautaro Martinez and Thuram have played regularly, we bolstered the squad with two experienced players. However, an off day can happen, it’s not fair to criticise Arnautovic for one game.”
There are multiple reports that Inter have already agreed personal terms with Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski, whose contract with the Partenopei expires on June 30. “Clearly, the transfer market is always active. Piero Ausilio, Dario Baccin and the rest of us are keeping an eye on opportunities. “In January, clubs can contact players who will be free agents at the end of June, so like all clubs we want to be active on that score. “However, I can say we have absolutely not reached any agreement.” He concluded.
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