Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi looks to be enjoying a “second youth” at Inter Milan.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. The newspaper declare that Acerbi is “every centre-forward’s worst nightmare.”
Acerbi played an important part in Inter’s Serie A win over Roma on Sunday evening.
The 35-year-old was the player with the job of man-marking Giallorossi striker Romelu Lukaku.
And it was not just Acerbi who kept Lukaku quiet.
There was also the support from the rest of the defense. And in midfield, the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in particular worked tirelessly to deny service to the Belgian.
But it was still left to Acerbi to personally make sure that Lukaku wouldn’t have much of an influence on the match.
And the former Lazio and Sassuolo defender proved that he is still more than capable of doing just that.
Francesco Acerbi Enjoying “Second Youth” At Inter
Acerbi was already 34 years of age when he joined Inter last summer.
The veteran Italian international will turn 36 during the current season.
But Acerbi has shown no signs that his advancing years are starting to affect his performances.
On the contrary, the 35-year-old has been in some of his best form.
Diminishing pace hasn’t been a factor for Acerbi. Particularly given how he was able to marshal Lukaku in short spaces, where the Italian is still very quick.
And the physical, combative style that has made Acerbi tough to beat in one-on-one duels, either in the air or on the ground, has hardly deserted him.
And, like so many top Italian centre-backs, Acerbi has only grown in terms of his composure and reading of the game as he’s aged into his thirties.
Lukaku found out just how formidable these attributes can make Acerbi on Sunday.
And the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen won’t be relishing a battle with him on the other side of the November international break.
