Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has no doubt – a failure to move on to the final against AC Milan tomorrow would reflect horribly on the Nerazzurri’s season.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Champions League semifinal second leg, as reported by FCInterNews, the 35-year-old made clear that the job isn’t done, and what bottling it from this position would mean for Inter.
Inter have a 2-0 advantage to protect tomorrow. The Nerazzurri were good value for their margin of victory in the first leg last Wednesday.
However, Milan showed plenty of fight in the second half of the first leg.
Even in a moment of bad form, the Rossoneri’s quality is undeniable. Stefano Pioli’s men always play with organization and physicality. Moreover, they appear likely to have their star man Rafael Leao back.
Francesco Acerbi: The Job Isn’t Done Vs AC Milan
“We’re not certain of anything,” Acerbi said of reaching the final. “We were subdued after the first leg, not too much celebrating, because we know there’s a second leg.”
“We didn’t do anything yet,” he continued. “It would be a mistake to think we have a better chance of getting to the final.”
“Everything is still to play for,” Acerbi added. “We know we can do something huge.”
“We have to have balance, take the right approach. It’s hard to ease the tension on the eve of the match.”
Asked if Inter will need to play the way they did in the second leg against Benfica to get a result, Acerbi replied “Even moreso.
“This is a semi-final against a Milan team who’ll be desperate to overturn the deficit.”
“It depends on us,” the defender continued, “on our approach and determination.”
“Milan will want to do something extraordinary but we’ll be ready.”
Failure To Reach Champions League Final Would Be A “Disaster”
Acerbi made clear that “If we don’t go through tomorrow it would be a disaster. A sh*t season.”
“One match would be enough to turn a wonderful season, or I say that in quotation marks, into one that’s if not a total write-off, well, we’d be throwing away a 2-0 lead…” Acerbi admitted.
“Tomorrow will be decisive,” the 35-year-old said.
“It’s been a very good season so far, now we’ll see how it ends.”
Acerbi: Inter Milan Are Ready For What Lies Ahead
Asked if the Nerazzurri feel ready for tomorrow’s match, Acerbi replied “Yes, because it’s a brilliant match to play in, and that can give you the adrenaline you need facing Milan in a Champions League semifinal second leg.”
“It will be more difficult,” he added. “But we want to do something that would’ve seemed unthinkable at the start of the season.”
“There’s a lot of anxiety, both positive and negative thoughts,” Acerbi observed.
“You have to stay positive, have faith in yourself and in the group.”
“We’re coming up against a strong team but so are we,” he added. “We have enthusiasm and focus, we can play our game.”
“If we go into it thinking there’s a 1% chance we don’t go through, we’re making a mistake.”
“But that’s now how we are, it’ll be an even tougher match but we want to go through to the final,” Acerbi said.
Unity The Key To Inter Milan’s Defensive Solidity
Asked what’s behind Inter tightening up at the back, Acerbi said that “When the whole team don’t work together to help each other out, we lose.”
“The whole team has changed gears, and these have been the results, but without everyone staying cohesive you can’t win,” he added.
Of the importance of squad rotation and competition for places, Acerbi said that “When you’re at Inter, you always know that any player can come on for you.”
“There’s always time for a rest, because you have teammates as good as you, and so it’s only natural that you be rested.”
“And then everyone has to be aware that they can give the team a hand,” he added. “Knowing that you have teammates who can do as well as you is a sign of maturity.”
Of his secret to being able to play nearly every match, Acerbi said that “I rest well, I always try to keep myself prepared.”
“I always try to recover my physical energy. I’m always thinking about the next match.”
“Then it’s up to the coach to decide whether to let me play, but I always have to give everything.”
Simone Inzaghi To Thank For Bringing Acerbi To Inter Milan
Asked about his loan move to Inter last summer, Acerbi said that “I’ll be honest. I have to thank the coach, because without him I wouldn’t be here.”
“He knows me, but I’ll reiterate, I always try to do the best I possibly can, for me and for my teammates.”
“But not to prove anything,” the 35-year-old continued. “I have my goals. However long I play football I’ll give my all come hell or high water.”
“I know what I want, and I know what I will do, thanks to the coach and my teammates who’ve helped me to get here. Beyond that, it’s up to the individual player.”
Inter Milan Must Work Together To Stop Rafael Leao
There’s a good chance that Inter will find themselves facing Portuguese international superstar Leao tomorrow.
The 23-year-old is one of the most formidable attacking threats in all of European football. Keeping a player with Leao’s pace and technical quality will be no mean feat.
“Leao is their best player, the most decisive,” Acerbi said. “We’ll have to work to stop him as a whole team.”
He also noted that “They’re not coming into it off of a brilliant period like we are. Still, we expect the best of Milan, it’s a test of pride.”
Acerbi Not Looking For “Revenge” On AC Milan
Acerbi was also asked about his time at Milan.
The defender was briefly a Rossoneri player, joining in 2012. Things didn’t go very well for him in his first go round at the San Siro, however.
Acerbi would cut his teeth elsewhere, eventually making his name with Sassuolo and Lazio, before joining Inter on loan from the Biancocelesti last summer.
“It was a time in my life that I had to go through, I was a bit immature,” he admitted.
Acerbi had also dealt with testicular cancer at the time, something that altered the course of his life. “I battled a disease, and it made me come to my senses.”
“Otherwise I probably wouldn’t have kept playing football,” he admitted honestly.
“But there’s no desire for revenge, I’m just interested in tomorrow.”
