Former Italy and Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi believes Simone Inzaghi should drop his three-man defence and insists Italian teams must have more courage in Europe.
“Inter have massively improved compared to last season, they are close to becoming a top club in Europe, but they need even more courage,” Sacchi told La Gazzetta dello Sport, commenting on their 1-0 win over Liverpool on Tuesday.
“You need a pure tactical system. If the opponents have two strikers, you only need two central defenders; otherwise, you miss a man in midfield. Pressing is helpful also for one vs. one situations at the back and must be used more frequently.”
However, the Nerazzurri could have qualified for the quarter-finals if it wasn’t for Alexis Sanchez’s red card.
“Liverpool played better in the first half and perhaps Inter were a little bit frightening. When Inter scored in the second half, the Reds had fear, but the red card was crucial,” said Sacchi.
“Italian teams are not far away from the top sides in Europe, but they need to continue working. They need a collective playing style where everyone helps in attack and defence. They need more pressing and realise that foreign clubs are better at attacking than defending.
“We must have the courage to go into their own half to create troubles without sitting deep and waiting for the right moment for the counter-attack. Leave the Italian mentality behind and begin an innovation process.”