Italian media are arguing that Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is proving Arrigo Sacchi wrong with his Champions League results.
Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, note how the 47-year-old has given his response to Sacchi on the pitch, particularly in Europe.
Legendary former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi has been a persistent critic of Inzaghi at Inter.
Sacchi has given Inter and Inzaghi their due at times, when they’ve gotten results.
But even the former Rossoneri boss’s praise has always had a certain critical veneer.
It is clear that Sacchi feels that there is something missing in Inzaghi’s football.
Whether it is an overreliance on individual skill to unlock defences, a lack of coordinated team pressing, or some other factor, the former coach has always found something lacking in how this Inter play.
Italian Media Argue Simone Inzaghi Responding To Arrigo Sacchi With UCL Results
At the heart of Sacchi’s criticism is his view that Inter don’t play a “European” style of football under Inzaghi.
Essentially, the former Italy coach believes that the Nerazzurri try and nullify opponents and then exploit weaknesses or opportunities on the counterattack.
By contrast, Sacchi always looks to teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, or Bayern Munich.
Those teams, widely considered Europe’s elite, tend to play a more proactive game.
Whether it’s an intense high press or coordinated passing sequences in possession, the biggest and best teams on the continent have their way of playing.
But, the Corriere posit, what’s wrong with Inter’s way if it works?
The newspaper note that in, even in Europe, Inzaghi’s football has been broadly effective.
The Nerazzurri can qualify for the Champions League knockouts with two matches to spare if they are to be Red Bull Salzburg this evening.
And over the past two seasons, Inter have lost just three matches in the Champions League.
Two of those came against Bayern Munich in the group stage last season. Inter were admittedly humbled by the Bavarians, though one of those matches was a complete dead rubber.
But then in the final against Man City, Inter lost with about as much pride and credit as they could have.
Even though the 1-0 scoreline went the way of the English team, Inter had their chances and left with their heads held high.
In the view of the Corriere, the proof is in the pudding. These performances and results in Europe show that there is in fact something missing in Sacchi’s analysis.
