Italian media praised Francesco Pio Esposito after Inter Milan’s dramatic 3-2 win over Juventus FC, describing his strike as the “first great goal” of his career.
La Gazzetta dello Sport rated Inter Milan 6.5, noting that it was not their best performance of the season.
The paper described the Nerazzurri as tense and overly elaborate early on. However, it stressed that winning such a direct clash could reshape the title race.
Coach Cristian Chivu also received a 6.5, with ratings via FCInternews.
The newspaper credited him for keeping his players calm and introducing a three-striker setup at the right moment.
In goal, Yann Sommer earned a 7.
The Swiss shot-stopper made several key saves and redeemed himself after a poor display in the reverse fixture. According to the report, he could do little about the goals conceded but handled everything else confidently.
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Zielinski MVP As Pio Esposito Scores ‘First Great Goal’
Match-winner Piotr Zieliński also earned a 7 along with the MVP award.
Esposito matched that rating after gifting himself what the paper called his first “big” goal at senior level.
Federico Dimarco received a 6.5.
Though less explosive in the first half, he still delivered his 14th assist of the season. Hakan Çalhanoğlu earned the same score after returning from injury and threatening from distance.
Among the starters, Manuel Akanji, Yann Bisseck, Petar Sučić, and Marcus Thuram secured passing marks. Substitutes Carlos Augusto, Moussa Diouf, and Ange-Yoan Bonny did the same.
Captain Lautaro Martínez disappointed and received a 5, with the paper calling him a shadow of his usual self against Juventus.
Luis Henrique also earned a 5 despite scoring the opener, which the report attributed partly to luck. Nicolò Barella managed a 5.5 on his return from injury.
The lowest rating went to Alessandro Bastoni, who received a 4.5.
The paper criticized his early booking and his role in the controversial red card shown to Pierre Kalulu, noting that he was substituted at halftime to avoid further risks.
This is the difference between having Cacarea and Arcacauvic in your squad. Not only that, yesterday I liked to see Inter playing only with Sommer, i.e., one 37-year-old.
Luis Henrique is actually playing to the best of his skills in a position he has to learn a lot about. He has enerrgy for 5 games in a row and is consistent with his game play, even getting better. He just need to start providing better crosses, shoot more and attack spaces in the offencive part of the game. The real problem is Bissek who cost us games and points with his static and sloppy defending in the box. You never let a ball passing across the goal line like that, he surprised Henrique and left him with nothing to do. He also cost us 2 goals against Napoli and other games too. Must do better in this aspects of the game. Also we get one decision our way per season and suddenly it’s a problem. It was in a big game but remember the penalty for Napoli and the first game against Juventus wnen somebody got his eye poked but the goal stood. Anyway we let other teams to get the title in the last 5 years or so dealing with ffp restrictions in mutual cooperation so I think this is Inter’s turn after all the things happened to us last year. Forzza Inter, solo Inter, sempre Inter
Off topic but now that the adrenaline is over. What will Inter do with Henrique. Surely they review footage of every player performance and must realise he’s consistently the worst player of almost every match CONSISTENTLY…. Chivu can’t keep ignoring him the guy is so bad yet he keeps playing. Inter got the win but the guy must stop starting in matches
Bro, if you are talking about the 1st goal, before you judge him, look at Bisseck. I am not defending him, but Bisseck was one to blame.
Yeah it’s true but the guy literally froze knowing full well there was a player on his back after multiple checks. At least Bisseck made a decision even tho a stupid one but Henrique just froze.Its not the first time either like how Inter conceded when he was supposed to keep the offside trap