In a column for Milanese newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, legendary Italian football manager Arrigo Sacchi has shared his views on what Antonio Conte did wrong tactically in Inter’s loss against Barcelona.
“Conte is one of the best managers in the world and presented a defensive team that gave glimpses of brilliance but he left the midfield and initiative to Barcelona. He may have hoped to have caught them off guard as Inter’s pressing could have demoralised Barcelona’s young players,” he began the column.
“Antonio, who I respect very much, did not think of repeating the tactics used successfully in the first half of the match away to Dortmund where Biraghi and Candreva advanced alternatively forming a 4-4-2 of sorts.
“In Europe, teams predominantly win when they dominate the game. This increases self-esteem and creativity within the players. Teams need to be organic, compact and press. Conte possesses talent and is an obsessive, I am sure he will be able to demonstrate his quality in Europe.”