Former Inter striker Alessandro Altobelli has slammed Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for their ugly row during Tuesday’s Milan derby.
The ex-Manchester United teammates exchanged some choice words before squaring up to one another towards the end of the first half in the Nerazzurri’s Coppa Italia quarter-final win.
Tensions well and truly hit boiling point at that moment and the spat continued even after referee Paolo Valeri blew for half-time, with Lukaku having to be held back from Ibrahimovic by members of Inter’s backroom staff.
“These are things that should be avoided, it was serious and is something we need to condemn,” Altobelli told Adnkronos, as quoted by Italian news outlet FCInter1908.it.
“I am sorry that two champions of that level, the leaders of their respective teams have behaved in that way, it is inadmissible.
“I understand the tensions of the derby and the desire to win but you should always keep your head.”
Altobelli, who is one of Inter’s greatest ever goal scorers, then went on to reveal that he was especially surprised by Ibrahimovic, who was later sent off for a second booking, and the 1982 World Cup winner believes that this changed the game at the San Siro between the two Milanese clubs.
“Ibra in particular surprised me in a negative way.
“Someone with his experience, after getting the yellow card, got sent off for a stupid foul at the beginning of the second half, compromising the game for his team.
“From that moment the match changed and Inter won deservedly.”
Antonio Conte’s side will aim to close the gap on the Rossoneri on Saturday night when they return to Serie A action at home to Benevento.
