In Italian folklore, during the night of Ognissanti, the dead return home. Families set the table and light candles, but they avoid rummaging through old photographs, fearing that looking too far into the past may unearth painful memories. From Udine, the source of much of Roma’s success, to the capital where Gattuso sharpens attacks for Cagliari, this ritual of return is echoed in Milan. Sometimes, it feels like a daily occurrence.
Before the clock struck midnight at San Siro, amidst its lights and ghosts, the Derby della Madonnina unfolded at the boundary of worlds. This boundary was once traversed by Roberto Vecchioni in his song “Luci a San Siro,” reflecting on the burdens of the present while yearning for lost youth.
The song tells of a cold evening filled with searching and bitterness, leading to a quarrel with the city, as he was pressured to write different types of songs, only to playfully apologize: “Milano, scusa, stavo scherzando!”
What Causes This Chivulist Lethargy?
The match between Milan and Inter echoed Vecchioni’s lyrics, as Inter’s tendency to comeback fell short this time. Following a remarkable run where they garnered 13 points from five of the first eight matches, it became clear that this was a case of lethargy rather than skill.
Coach Chivu faced the consequences in this challenging game, as his team confused their ability to recover with a right to delay. What was once tolerated became a defining characteristic, particularly as Lautaro and the others found solutions.
Last year, Inter struggled against top teams, while this season, their matches seem to begin late. Both challenges threaten their ambitions to reclaim the scudetto.
Milan successfully avoided falling into Inter’s habit of waiting. Amorim repositioned Rabiot further up, just behind the striker, in front of the opposing defense. Known affectionately as “Vagabondo” by Allegri last season, Rabiot’s freedom to roam and create chaos at crucial points was a masterstroke from the Portuguese coach, providing mobility and linking play while troubling a defense that struggled with marking.
Another standout performance came from Mike Maignan, with his remarkable reflex control. The Frenchman not only excelled in his interventions but also displayed a rare ability to freeze, halting his body at just the right moment—a true art that goes beyond physicality. The match effectively ended with Djed Spence’s deflected shot.
Missing the Wizard and the Rabbit
On the opposing side, Spence and Carlos Augusto were tasked with fluidifying play on the flanks, looking to provide alternate solutions and disrupt the imminent stagnation—but to little effect. Perhaps a slight awakening occurred in the second half when their team began passing better in midfield.
Even then, Inter looked disjointed between defense and attack, as it seemed easier to wait for individual brilliance. They had grown accustomed to pulling a Lautaro out of a hat; however, the Argentine was notably absent.
This absence was not merely as an attacker but a testament to the entire team’s reliance on his ability to conjure something when collective play faltered.
Chivu’s cautious approach even at 3-1 surprised me, signaling for patience. Was that truly necessary?
This defeat should not serve as an indictment against Chivu, nor should he be the first to bear blame. That would be too simplistic and likely unfair. Inter possesses solid ideas and quality players, demonstrating that their responses are often productive.
Don’t Summon All the Ghosts, Cristi!
In Vecchioni’s song, bitterness ultimately turns against the individual experiencing it. One calls forth the past, reproaches the present, and would trade fame and fortune for twenty lost years and his old Fiat 600 that sufficed. Eventually, he reconsiders, embarrassed by his emotional outburst.
Now, after the 3-1 defeat, on the night of Ognissanti, Chivu should not ignite all the lights of the past, gathering critics and ghosts, nor should he dismantle himself as in “Luci a San Siro.”
Nor should he apologize to the city—at least not to half of it—but rather understand that a team aspiring to be the best in Italy cannot always wait to be led to begin playing. The Milan-Inter match ended with a score of 3-1. The dead returned home, as tradition dictates. They arrived before Inter did.
