Legendary former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta feels that Inter defender Francesco Acerbi was the best player on the pitch in the Milan derby.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInter1908, Costacurta reserved praise for the 35-year-old’s display.
As expected, Acerbi started in yesterday evening’s Champions League semifinal second leg derby clash.
The Lazio-owned defender has become a pillar at the heart of Inter’s backline.
Acerbi has already put in rugged displays to negate strikers like Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos.
It always looked like the 35-year-old would have his hands full with Rossoneri target man Olivier Giroud.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea man has won the World Cup and appeared in another final.
Giroud’s physical and technical qualities are key as a reference point to Milan in the final third.
As such, if the Frenchman could be stopped, Inter would be much more comfortable overall in defending.
The task of marking Giroud fell to Acerbi yesterday evening.
The Italian international proved more than up to it at the San Siro, as he kept Giroud from really gaining a foothold in the match.
Alessandro Costacurta Heaps Praise On Inter Milan’s Francesco Acerbi
Former Milan defender Costacurta was a big fan of what he saw from Francesco Acerbi.
Asked who he felt was the best player on the pitch, Costacurta said “I think it was Acerbi.”
“The Inter directors did very well to bring him in, he’s brought the team solidity, experience, and calm,” he said of the 35-year-old.
“He’s also brought with him a lot of tactical intelligence, very well done.”
As for who he considered to be the worst player on the pitch, Costacurta unsurprisingly had a Rossoneri player in mind.
“I think it was Theo Hernandez,” he said. “I expected something more from him.”
