Legendary former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi feels that Inter had mostly looked the better side despite losing to the Rossoneri in the derby, but that they approached the match the wrong way in the second half.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, Sacchi emphasized the point that the Rossoneri had not showed any threat prior to their late flourish to take three points.
In the first half of the derby, Inter created more and better chances, and were good value for their 1-0 halftime lead, perhaps even feeling that they would have deserved more.
However, as the second half wore on, the Nerazzurri became gradually more passive while the Rossoneri ratcheted up the pressure going in search of an equalizer.
Milan eventually found not just an equalizing goal but also a winner immediately after, both through Olivier Giroud, and Sacchi believes that this was in spite of having been outplayed for much of the match, but also the fault of Inter’s game management.
For much of the match, he argued, “The difference between the Nerazzurri and the Rossoneri was enormous, Inzaghi’s players missed several good chances.”
“Milan didn’t looked coordinated,” he added, ” there was too much distance between the lines, and the plan to have Kessie mark Brozovic didn’t convince me.”
He argued that Inter’s first goal was “Deserved. Inter showed that they have are more physical, and that they have greater individual quality and experience.”
He reflected that “Inter did as all Italian teams do – once they have the lead, instead of looking to kill the game off, they worry about managing the tempo, they slow down the pace.”
“That’s not the right idea,” he opined. “We must attack and have courage for ninety minutes and beyond.”
On the ramifications of the result in the Serie A title race, Sacchi gave the view that “The gap is reduced, but Inter remain the strongest team.”
“Now they will have to show maturity,” he added, “it’s not easy to absorb certain blows. But the quality of Inzaghi’s team is superior to that of all their rivals.”