Starting With Real Madrid

After a week of back-to-back games, Inter Milan seemed unable to adjust properly.

Following a week of rest, the Nerazzurri faced Lazio away in the thirty-first round of Serie A. Manager Roberto Mancini once again deployed a 3-4-1-2 formation, attempting to secure a stable position on the road.

Lazio, playing at home, also adopted a 4-3-1-2 formation. However, while the formations were identical, the results on the pitch were vastly different.

Lazio utilized Pandev as the attacking midfielder, with Bianchi and Rocchi as the front two. Supporting them in midfield were Behrami, Ledesma, and Dabo. Backed by the home-field advantage, Lazio dominated the opening stages, putting heavy pressure on Inter Milan and frequently creating threatening opportunities.

Interestingly, in the 11th minute, despite Lazio's dominance, Inter Milan capitalized on a quick counterattack. Maicon carried the ball forward and passed to Stankovic before making an incisive run. Stankovic threaded a perfect through ball, and Lazio defender Radu failed to spring the offside trap. Maicon received the ball, advanced to the right side of the penalty area, and sent a cross to the goalmouth, where Crespo calmly slotted it in with his left foot. Inter Milan unexpectedly took the lead.

Lazio then launched relentless waves of attacks. Inter Milan, overwhelmed by their opponent's high pressure, committed numerous passing errors. However, Lazio struggled to capitalize on their opportunities.

In the second half, Ledesma delivered a long pass from Lazio's half. Rocchi, stationed near the top of Inter's penalty area, controlled the ball with his chest and followed up with a right-footed strike, scoring the equalizer for Lazio.

After leveling the match, Lazio continued their ferocious assault, dominating Inter Milan and constantly posing threats.

In the 64th minute, Lazio came close to taking the lead. Behrami's lob shot deflected off Inter Milan's midfielder Rivas, changing direction mid-flight and falling dangerously toward the goal. However, Cesar, Inter's goalkeeper, made an incredible save, palming the ball onto the crossbar.

In the 83rd minute, Dabo unleashed a long-range strike from midfield, which again rattled the crossbar.

Ultimately, Inter Milan managed to hold on, drawing 1-1 thanks to their defensive efforts.

---

Before the match, Mancini expressed confidence during a press interview, claiming that Inter Milan had fully adjusted and were capable of defeating Lazio away. However, the final 1-1 result delivered a harsh blow to his words.

The match statistics painted a dire picture: 24 shots to 9, 55% possession to 45%, 11 corners to 1, and an 80% pass success rate compared to 75%.

Corriere dello Sport highlighted these post-match statistics, drawing attention to one particularly telling detail. During this game, Inter Milan's transitions from attack to defense were broken 12 times after losing possession in midfield. Dabo alone made six successful interceptions.

Proudly, the Romans declared, "If Bianchi hadn't been off-form, this game would have ended in a slaughter!"

The implication was clear: Inter Milan was lucky to escape with even a point.

Their only goal came from Lazio's defensive error during an offside attempt, and the overall lackluster performance left fans losing faith in the team.

Gazzetta dello Sport went so far as to claim that the championship wasn't being stolen by Napoli, it was being handed over by Inter Milan.

Why?

"Inter Milan has suddenly become completely unplayable," the paper criticized.

Their doubts weren't unfounded. Inter Milan's recent form had indeed been dismal.

Is it a lack of creativity? Poor passing?

No, Gazzetta dello Sport argued that the real issue was the team's lack of leadership.

"At the start of the season, Mancini entrusted Ibrahimovic with heavy responsibilities, but in these crucial final rounds, Ibrahimovic's form has been abysmal."

"In Rome, the Swedish striker's poor offensive display was shocking for someone considered Inter's best player."

"During the first half, Lazio struggled with their offside line, gifting Ibrahimovic a one-on-one opportunity. However, his shot went straight to the opposing goalkeeper."

"In the second half, he squandered another counterattack. In a favorable two-on-one situation, he should have passed to Crespo, who was unmarked, but instead, he selfishly held the ball and missed. His shot was ultimately saved."

"Not only did he fail offensively, but defensively, he also made a critical error. Deep in Inter's own penalty area, Ibrahimovic held onto the ball too long and attempted to dribble past Dabo. Predictably, Dabo intercepted the ball and launched a long-range effort that nearly resulted in a goal."

Gazzetta dello Sport concluded that Inter Milan's slump was all-encompassing, affecting everyone from the coach to the players, from form to injuries.

In his column, Sacchi noted that Mancini has failed to address a recurring tactical issue all season.

"When attacking, the team pushes too far forward, leaving themselves vulnerable to counterattacks. Conversely, when defending, they retreat too deep, exposing the space in front of the penalty area."

"If you have a fast player and a long passer, the best approach against Inter is to play defensive counterattacks. If you also have someone with a strong long-range shot, then pressing high and rotating long shots will almost guarantee you a goal."

"Unfortunately for Inter, Lazio had both."

Sacchi added that Inter was fortunate to concede only one goal and manage a draw, attributing their result to the favor of Lady Luck.

He concluded that this version of Inter Milan had no chance of catching up to Napoli.

The facts seem to support Sacchi's assessment.

---

A day later, Napoli hosted Palermo at home.

Palermo, last season's sixth-place Serie A finisher, now sat twelfth in the table. Despite their decline, they remained a formidable opponent.

However, at the San Paolo Stadium, after a week of rest, Napoli immediately imposed their dominance, pressing high and relentlessly.

In the 29th minute, Di Maria delivered a corner kick, and David Luiz headed the ball into the box. Amidst the chaos, Cavani volleyed it into the net, opening the scoring for Napoli.

In the 40th minute, Lichtsteiner sent in a cross from the right flank. Cavani surged forward, outmuscling Palermo defender Barzagli to meet the ball and fire it into the net, securing a brace for himself and extending Napoli's lead.

After the break, Napoli continued to create chances, while Palermo's Amauri came close to scoring against the run of play.

In the 70th minute, David Luiz leaped above everyone to meet a free kick, heading the ball in from close range to make it 3-0.

Just five minutes later, Napoli launched a swift counterattack. Di Maria sent a precise through ball, and Cavani cleverly let it pass. Hamsik followed up and smashed a shot into the net, sealing a 4-0 victory.

---

On one side, a resounding victory. On the other, a frustrating stalemate. The contrast between the two teams could not have been starker. With Napoli surging ahead and Inter Milan faltering, the gap in points widened to seven.

The Italian media unanimously agreed: with seven rounds left in the league, Inter Milan had little hope of catching Napoli.

Inter's fans were livid, demanding Mancini apologize. However, Mancini stood firm, refusing to resign. At this stage of the season, changing coaches was impossible for Inter Milan.

Gazzetta dello Sport speculated that Inter's ideal coaching candidate was Gao Shen. However, given the circumstances, it was unlikely Gao Shen would abandon Napoli for Inter.

Gao Shen himself clarified that he had no contact with Inter Milan.

"I still have over a year left on my contract with Napoli. Right now, I'm focused on leading this team, not thinking about anything else."

He expressed gratitude to Napoli for their trust and support, emphasizing his determination to repay them.

"But this isn't enough!" Gao Shen declared. "I must personally lead Napoli to the championship podium."

"Not just the Serie A title, we will also conquer the Coppa Italia!"

Gao Shen's words electrified Napoli's fans, reigniting their enthusiasm.

Napoli's officials echoed his sentiment. Club president De Laurentiis directly addressed rumors of Gao Shen's departure.

"I know our rivals can't beat us on the pitch, so they're trying to poach our most important figure. But I have one thing to say: keep dreaming!"

De Laurentiis also revealed plans to offer Gao Shen a contract extension.

"He has already begun preparing for next season's Champions League. He's ambitious, and he won't leave us!"

Sacchi, meanwhile, concluded with satisfaction: "Right now, Gao Shen is focused on one thing—conquering Italy!"

***

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