Italian journalist Sandro Sabatini believes that Inter looked better in yesterday evening’s derby draw with AC Milan when Edin Dzeko was on the pitch than after the Bosnian came off.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, the journalist also made the point that Lautaro Martinez’s poor recent form in front of goal has seemed to follow his contract extension being made official.
Inter controlled long periods of the second half of the derby as they looked to be the more proactive side in searching for a goal to break the deadlock, but in the last quarter of an hour the Rossoneri seemed to spring to life.
Both managers made substitutions and it seemed to be Stefano Pioli’s which changed the game in his team’s favour as the Rossoneri suddenly played with more composure in midfielder and the Nerazzurri had little way to escape their pressure.
Dzeko’s exit from the pitch was impactful, with the 35-year-old having been forced off with a muscle problem which he immediately pulled up with after a sprint during the second half, and in Sabatini’s view this was a turning point in the game.
“Calhanoglu could have spared that gesture towards his former fans and towards the club that paid him,” he stated. “Of Inter it must be said that they disappeared when Dzeko came off.”
And of Martinez he stated that “Now that he has renewed he does not score anymore. For sure, there does not need to be a Lautaro investigation, but he doesn’t live up to expectations right now.”
