The Italian press had nothing positive to say about Davide Calabria and Theo Hernandez for their work in Milan’s 2-0 loss to Inter in the Champions League semi-finals.
The Rossoneri were not ready for the Nerazzurri’s early flurry at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and conceded two goals in the first 11 minutes, with Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both beating Mike Maignan to give Simone Inzaghi’s side a key advantage.
La Gazzetta dello Sport suggested that Calabria was at fault for both of Inter’s goals, slating him for his performance, saying: “Dzeko for the 1-0 is a snake that wraps around him and paralyses him, Dimarco creates the second in front of him, Lautaro moves him physically into the box.”
Corriere dello Sport echoed these sentiments, believing that the Italian defender shouldn’t have been assigned to Dzeko to begin with, noting: The start is a nightmare. Although it is perhaps inevitable to pay the price in marking Dzeko. Should he have made a change? All his responsibility is the delay with which he tries to cover Dimarco’s breakaway for the second.”
Tuttosport were even harsher, implying that he was one of the worst on the pitch in the decisive Champions League clash, writing: “He was taken to school by Dzeko and Dimarco on the goals. With a backheel he gives the only danger of the first half, but the chance is tiny compared to the disasters he combined at the back.”
Things were no more positive for Theo Hernandez, who was unable to have an impact on proceedings. La Gazzetta dello Sport underlined the Frenchman’s poor work, saying: “Shocking as the colour of his hair. In a match like this, without Leao, he cannot disappear, play shy, become ordinary. Dangerous plays: half. The symbol is the final free kick: slow, high, a caress to Onana.”
Tuttosport also pointed to Hernandez’s late free-kick as a summary of his performance, commenting: “The free kick he sent into the pigeonhole at the end is the picture of his derby.”
Corriere dello Sport were a little more forgiving to Hernandez, suggesting he had too much to do on the left side, saying: “Between Dumfries, Barella and Darmian it becomes complicated to get off with the ball at his feet. Indeed, the real problem is getting to cover the pitch in width.”
Calabria’s ratings in the Italian newspapers:
La Gazzetta dello Sport: 4.5
Corriere dello Sport: 4.5
Tuttosport: 4
Corriere della Sera: 5
Theo Hernandez’s ratings in the Italian newspapers:
La Gazzetta dello Sport: 4.5
Corriere dello Sport: 5
Tuttosport: 4.5
Corriere della Sera: 5