Former Nerazzurri captain Andrea Ranocchia feels that Inter Milan “looked exhausted” in their Serie A loss to AC Milan yesterday.
The former defender spoke to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, via FCInterNews. He analyzed hid old team’s disappointing derby defeat.
Inter experienced by far their biggest setback of the season yesterday evening.
The Nerazzurri had gone into the derby against city rivals AC Milan with the tag of big favourites.
Inter’s form this season so far had not been perfect. But there was a sense that they had maintained their momentum from last season more or less.
Milan, on the other hand, had endured a very tough start to the campaign.
The Rossoneri have had major growing pains in their first few weeks under coach Paulo Fonseca.
None of that was evident in the derby yesterday evening, however.
It was Inter who looked like the team without ideas and without energy.
Milan, by contrast, had a clear gameplan and the energy and physicality to execute it. They overran Inter in midfield and created by far more and better chances to score.
Ranocchia: “Inter Looked Exhausted” Vs AC Milan
Former Inter captain Ranocchia said that “Inter conceded a lot of chances.”
“Normally they’re very solid defensively,” he continued. “They allow little, they’re compact.”
But in the derby, “They looked a bit exhausted mentally to me.”
“They started the match badly. And then they recovered a little, but then they conceded a lot.”
“Maybe the match in Manchester had an impact, as they were a bit more tired than Milan,” Ranocchia speculated.
“This was the first time I’ve seen this Milan team create a lot,” he continued.
“They exploited every hole in Inter.”
“They probably prepared for the match knowing that Inter liked to keep the ball, and they did well with that.”
Ranocchia said that “Inter came into it off the back of years of great football, success, and quality players developing well.”
“Inter’s biggest opponent for me are still Inter,” he argued. “If they want to go all the way in all competitions, which is much more difficult.”
“But the danger is lowering the level mentally if they feel too positive.”
“If Inter return to their usual level then maybe this loss can help,” Ranocchia argued.