Inter defender Francesco Acerbi believes that the Nerazzurri must play at a higher tempo than they showed in their 2-0 Champions League group stage win over Viktoria Plzen.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, the 34-year-old gave his reaction to the pace of the match, and also made clear that he is not just at Inter to be a rotation player after his debut.

Acerbi made his first start for Inter, and the defender who is on loan from Lazio saw out the match, looking relatively comfortable against the Plzen attack for the duration.

The Nerazzurri cruised to a 2-0 win over the Czech team, made even more straightforward by the fact that the home side went down to ten men after a red card to Pavel Brucha for a late and high challenge on Nicolo Barella after an hour played, although as Acerbi pointed out, it was not the most frenetic display.

On his early time at Inter, Acerbi said that “I’m not shy, and the guys welcomed me very well. And I didn’t come here just to make a few appearances, when I play I must play like I’ve been here for a long time.”

“The main concern was the stamina after three months without playing, but things went well,” he added.

Acerbi continued that “Winning against Torino as we did was important, and then today we had an opponent in front of us who had nothing to lose. We still weren’t at the right pace, we conceded a few chances from crosses for example, we have to improve there.”

“In the meantime, there’s the last match [before the international brea] in Udine, which is important, and then we will have to work hard during the break and then find form up until the World Cup.”