Legendary former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi believes that Inter should approach tomorrow’s Champions League group stage opener against Real Madrid with an attacking mentality.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, the Italian tactician gave the view that the Nerazzurri’s approach should be fearless and that they should look to exploit the defensive frailties of Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Real Madrid are widely considered to be Inter’s primary rivals in Group D, and the Merengues have a squad filled with imposing quality which could pose problems for the Nerazzurri, who lost both of their matches with the Spanish giants last season.
The La Liga leaders are in fine form this season under new coach Ancelotti, but Sacchi believes that despite their attacking strength they can be gotten at on the defensive side of the game, and he hopes that Inter will show the composure necessary to take advantage.
“Over the years, Los Blancos have refined their technical security and possession,” the former manager said. “Individually they have champions like Benzema and interesting young players like Vinicius, they are much better at attacking than defending.”
“With Carlo they will have improved but their limitations always remain despite the great Casimiro’s work,” he said of this Real team.
“If Inzaghi had to keep three defenders for Benzema alone,” he went on, “it would be like giving two players to the opponents and therefore allowing them more solutions.”
Sacchi believes that “Courage, organization, pressing and doubling will be decisive. If they play only on the counterattack and in an all-out defense, this would also cause their self-belief to diminish.”
