Legendary former AC Milan, Real Madrid, and England head coach Fabio Capello believes that Inter defender Francesco Acerbi showed his leadership qualities in his performance against Viktoria Plzen in the Chamopions League.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, Capello highlighted the 34-year-old’s character in pushing his teammates along in Tuesday’s 2-0 group stage win in the Czech Republic, his very first start for the club.
Acerbi earned his debut for Inter just a couple of weeks after arriving on loan from Lazio on the final day of the summer transfer window, and he repaid coach Simone Inzaghi’s display at the heart of the back three.
The 34-year-old’s performance on the pitch was solid, but, as Capello notes, he also showed personality and that he is not afraid to try and get the best out of his teammates with his attitude, an important quality that seems to have been missing at times from Inter’s backline.
“He seemed like the leader in a new team,” Capello said. “He scolded a teammate for misjudging a cross, and when a player has the courage to do that that means he has the attitude of a real leader.”