Defender Francesco Acerbi was far from his best in Inter Milan’s Serie A win over Hellas Verona on Saturday afternoon.
This is the view in the player ratings for the match across Italian media, via L’Interista. Acerbi received middling scores for his performance.
Acerbi started in his usual position at the heart of the Inter defense against Verona on Saturday.
The 35-year-old was full of confidence, particularly in possession. But as the match wore on, there were some less encouraging signs.
Acerbi just about held his own against Verona’s physically dominant centre-forward Milan Djuric for the most part.
But there were a couple instances where the veteran defender seemed to lose the pace of the match a bit.
Acerbi was not quite first to every ball the way that he seems to be when he is at his best. It was a much tougher battle than it normally looks like from Acerbi.
Francesco Acerbi Criticized For Difficult Performance Vs Hellas Verona
But it was the introduction of Thomas Henry that really bamboozled the veteran defender.
Acerbi lost the run of Henry completely as the Frenchman equalized with his first touch after coming on.
And the 35-year-old never quite looked comfortable after that.
Whereas Acerbi had been the player moving the ball at pace earlier on, particularly in the first half, the former Lazio and Sassuolo defender began to look like he was just hanging on.
Acerbi’s performance against Genoa had also been far from his best.
This could be evidence of some fatigue starting to set in for the Italian international.
There is not question that Acerbi is one of the pillars of Inter’s team when he is at his best.
But against Verona, the veteran was not at his best.
And at times this seemed to transmit throughout the entire Nerazzurri team.
