Former Italy and Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi admits that last night’s Milan derby in Coppa Italia was ugly: ‘We need a bit of fun in a moment like this, Inter and Milan didn’t help us.’
Stefano Pioli and Simone Inzaghi’s men picked up a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semis last night.
“It was a predictable end, but people would deserve more emotions,” Sacchi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It’s not a nice moment for the world due to the war in Ukraine, so we must have some fun. Milan and Inter didn’t help us.
“Inter and Milan proved to have problems,” the ex-coach continued.
“The pitch seemed too long or too wide. Players were not able to cover it well. It probably signals and a drop of form, honestly more from Inter than from Milan.
“Milan seemed more reactive but also quite messy. Sometimes you must have cold blood and I refer to chances of Alexis Saelemaekers and Theo Hernandez. Like every young player, they are always rushing, but sometimes you need the technique more. Saelemaekers is too frenetic, he goes everywhere on the pitch but is not concrete. Maybe he will be more decisive in a few years.
“Olivier Giroud didn’t do enough and I always expect something more from Rafael Leao. He has incredible potential, but he must make sure to make the most of it.”
The Rossoneri had picked up two draws in Serie A before last night’s match, against Salernitana (away) and Udinese (at home). They are the Serie A table leaders along with Napoli, but Inter follow them by two points and with a game in hand.
The Nerazzurri had a terrible start to the year with just nine points collected in seven games. They earned just two in the last four league matches and lost to Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. They didn’t show any sort of development last night.
“Inter look really tired, I didn’t see any chance created by the Nerazzurri, the strikers were too isolated,” said Sacchi.
“There was no connection with the midfield and there was no pressing.
“Substitutions didn’t help, Vidal, Sanchez and Correa looked lost, they don’t seem in sync with the rest of the team. Brozovic and Barella are exhausted, so the build-up is slow while the defence is static. They suffered in one vs. one situations.
“The next home game against Salernitana will be tough and will come before the away clash with Liverpool. It’s a moment where Inter need to grit their teeth while the coach must assess his players and use them wisely.”
"Milan e Inter squadre con problemi. Meritavamo più emozioni" https://t.co/LcKbGpIFsN
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) March 2, 2022
“Saelemaekers is too frenetic, he goes everywhere on the pitch but is not concrete.” <- this is what I've been trying to articulate every time I scream at the screen, "WHY DO YOU EVEN EXIST!?"