Last weekend perhaps the first real turning point in the Serie A title race of this season marked. Inter has now climbed to the top of the rankings with 57 points, in which Napoli (56) caught up, while Atalanta is close to 54, ready to join this always unpredictable battle for the Scudetto. The victory of the Nerazzurri came thanks to Lautaro Martínez, who once again performed at the most crucial moment, as he has done so often since he arrived in Milan.
Against Genoa, he proved his leadership on the field and gave the decisive goal that Inter is in control of their destination. In the meantime, Napoli's defeat against Como not only cost them first, but he also brought new concerns. Nevertheless, Antonio Conte has trivialized the setback and insisted that his team exceeds expectations this season. Only he and club president Aurelio de Laurentiis really know if that is the case.
The real question is: Has Napoli strengthened in January? Have they invested in the transfer market to give conte the reinforcements needed to start a title challenge? The answer is no.
Conte has rolled up his sleeves and did its best with the team at his disposal, but at the moment it is just not enough. Injury has taken their toll and the team no longer shows the same dominance that did it at the start of the season, when it didn't seem to stop. The Cesc Fabregas Como, on the other hand, produced a wonderful achievement and completely earned their victory against the leasers.
But apart from the heroic deeds of Como, something seems to have stuck in the Napoli system, and it is now up to Conte to find the solution before their title hopes to slip away. Inter on the other hand has a range of solutions. Regardless of the challenge, one of their stars always seems to find the key to unlock the game.
Early in the season it was Marcus Thuram; Then there were moments of sparkle of Denzel Dumfries, Fede Dimarco and Hakan Çalhanoğlu. Now Lautaro Martínez leads the leadership. Simone Inzaghi deserves credit, he knows how to maximize the potential of each player at his disposal. His team is deep, talented and adjustable, and more often than not, the result is the victory.
In the meantime, Gian Piero is in the background. Despite internal tensions (for example with breathola lookman …), especially his recent comments that indicate a possible departure, LA DEA remains a serious competition. Even with the problems of Lookman they continue to pick up points and their presence in the title race cannot be ignored.
Winning the Scudetto would be nothing less than a miracle, but Atalanta has the quality and the team to dream. The fight for the first place remains wide open. At the moment the team is with the greatest difficulties Conte's Napoli.
The question is: can they find the answers to their growing problems again?
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