Legendary former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta believes that Francesco Acerbi proved that he can be the right man for Inter’s defense with his performance in yesterday evening’s Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, the former defender praised Acerbi’s performance in the 2-0 group stage win, particularly in view of the fact that he had not been on the pitch since June 11.

Inter decided to sign Acerbi late in the summer transfer window to be their final addition to the squad and a reliable backup to Stefan de Vrij at the heart of their defensive line.

The 34-year-old had fallen out of favour under Maurizio at Lazio and could have been a little rusty, but he was trusted by the Nerazzurri directors and particularly by coach Simone Inzaghi who had worked with him successfully at the Biancocelesti.

Acerbi proved that there was little rust in spite of the lack of recent playing time with how he played against Plzen.

“Acerbi hadn’t played since June 11, but it seems to me like he could really be the right man,” Costacurta said. “There is more and more confidence in Inzaghi’s rotations in the locker room.

“There are still seven more points needed,” he went on, “Inzaghi said that ten would be the amount needed to move onto the round of sixteen.”

Of Pavel Bucha’s sending off for a heavy challenge on Inter’s Nicolo Barella, Costacurta said that “He really risked a serious injury, the sending off was correct.”