Veteran Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has earned plaudits for the defensive job that he did on Man City superstar Erling Haaland in the Champions League final.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, heap praise on the 35-year-old for his performance, even in defeat.
City overcame Inter to win their first ever Champions League crown on Saturday.
However, it was not, as many expected, due to Haaland.
The Norwegian superstar did have one moment in the first half where he looked incredibly dangerous.
However, over the course of ninety minutes, it was hardly a vintage outing from Haaland.
This had a lot to do with an outstanding performance by Haaland at the heart of Inter’s back three.
Francesco Acerbi Every Bit The Match For Man City Striker Erling Haaland
When Acerbi joined Inter on loan from Lazio on deadline day of last summer transfer window, few hailed the veteran as a brilliant signing.
Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi always wanted to sign the former Sassuolo man. The coach had worked well with Acerbi for three seasons whilst in charge of the Biancocelesti.
However, Acerbi has defied all of his critics and doubters.
The 35-year-old has enjoyed a great season.
He faced perhaps his biggest test on Saturday in the form of former Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg striker Haaland.
However, the Gazzetta suggest, Acerbi passed it with flying colours.
Even a player with Haaland’s almost superhuman physical and technical attributes didn’t look at his best in the final.
This is because of the rugged, disciplined job that Acerbi did on the 22-year-old.
The veteran seemingly always got his positioning right, except for losing Haaland on one occasion in the first half.
Meanwhile, even though Acerbi may not have the sheer pace of the Norwegian, he anticipated his opposite number’s movement well. Acerbi never let Haaland get the run on him, and this denied the City striker space.
It may have been all in vain as City found another way to score – a blistering long-range effort by defensive midfielder Rodri following an intricate possession move.
However, Acerbi showed his quality on the biggest stage. And made clear that even a genuine superstar like Haaland can still have a thing or two to learn.
