Inter narrowly win against Venezia as Milan and Juventus play out a stalemate

(Football news) AC Milan played out an entertaining draw 0-0 against Juventus. In a first half of few chances, Milan were dealt a blow after veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic picked up an injury and had to be taken off within the first 30 minutes. Juve were content to sit back and look to beat them on the counter as Milan looked the more likely to score and snatch victory, with Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud forcing Wojciech Szczęsny into several saves. Unfortunately, Milan could not find a winner and had to settle for the draw that moved them onto 49 points from 23 games as Napoli, following their win over Salernitana, climbed above Milan into second on goal difference. Juventus never really looked settled into the game but earned a point which stretched their unbeaten run to nine league games. They stay fifth on 42 points after 23 matches as Victory would have moved Allegri's side into the top four as they look to salvage their season after their disappointing first half of the campaign, Juve remain only one point behind Atalanta in fourth.

"Tonight was a good match.It was important to end January in the best possible way. We faced a good Milan and staying at this distance from them is important. I'm happy because the boys are playing more as a team. We must not lose team spirit. At this moment we have recovered many points, but it is one step at a time." Allegri said

Inter maintained their unbeaten streak after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Venezia. Inter were poor in the opening stages with Venezia as they were without numerous first-team players after a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad, this showed as Venezia raced into a shock lead through Thomas Henry in the 19th minute but Inter rallied and got themselves level through Nicolo Barella five minutes before the break. The match looked like it was heading for a draw as a winner looked set to elude the champions but Dzeko climbed the highest to snatch all three points for Inter in the 90th minute. The victory took Inter onto 53 points from 22 matches played, with second-placed AC Milan now 4 points adrift, while Venezia stayed 17th, two points above the relegation zone.

Inzaghi after the match said "The team believed until the end. The biggest problem is the San Siro pitch, it is becoming unplayable for both us and Milan.”

Napoli produced a big performance against the bottom club Salernitana as they 4-1. Napoli started the match brightly as they raced into a 17th-minute lead through Juan Jesus, as VAR had to intervene for the goal but against the run of play, Salernitana leveled through Federico Bonazzoli in the 33rd minute. However, Dries Mertens put Napoli back in front from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, before Amir Rahmani tapped home four minutes after the break to make it 3-1. Salernitana's performance went from bad to worse moments later as Frederic Veseli was sent off for picking up a second yellow card when he was adjudged to handle the ball in the penalty area. Substitute Lorenzo Insigne scored from the spot to seal a comfortable victory for Napoli who climbed to second on 49 points and are currently second leading on goal difference, they are four adrift of leaders Inter. Salernitana stayed rooted to the bottom of the standings on 10 points from 22 matches, eight points from safety.

"We need to improve in terms of ruthlessness and character, the matches with five substitutions are never easy even with a two goal difference," Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti said

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