Yahoo Sports Sacchi insists Milan deserved to beat Inter and picks out keys to victory
Arrigo Sacchi has praised the spectacle that was the five-goal Supercoppa Italiana final, and also what he saw from AC Milan in the second half.
Milan produced a stunning comeback to beat their rivals Inter and lift the first trophy of the season, coming from two goals behind to eventually win 3-2.
Inter were well on course to win the competition for a fourth straight year when Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi scored either side of the half-time whistle, but Sergio Conceicao’s side responded.
Theo Hernandez scored with a free-kick to halve the deficit, Christian Pulisic equalised with a shot across his body and Tammy Abraham won it in the dying moments.
Sacchi gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he analysed the game seen last night in Riyadh in which the Rossoneri never gave up, got themselves back into the game and then won it.
What did you think of the game?
“First thing: beautiful match, played at a Premier League pace. A great advert for Italian football. Second thing: Milan is alive, they showed it in the semi-final against Juve and then against Inter.
“Third thing: Conceiçao is a great coach. Fourth thing: Inter, given the qualities they have, must manage the game better if they are leading 2-0.”
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Was Milan’s win deserved?
“Yes. The match was balanced, but the Rossoneri added that extra bit of ruthlessness.”
The keys to victory?
“Leao’s entrance. The Portuguese did impressive things, he split the game. And seeing him in these conditions makes me even angrier, to be honest.
“He has incredible qualities, both physical and technical, and yet he doesn’t always manage to express them. I hope he has the consistency of performance needed to reach the highest levels.”
Will he do it, in your opinion?
“It would take the magic ball, I struggle to answer. I think he needs to be constantly stimulated, both in training and in matches. His temperament probably doesn’t help him, maybe he’s not a lion, but he has exceptional qualities: in terms of speed, and with the ball at his feet, no one can stop him.”
The judgment on Sergio Conceiçao can only be positive: two games, two comebacks, two wins…
“Here, I would emphasise this aspect: Milan went down twice and twice found the moral strength and physical energy to turn the story around. If you don’t have character qualities, you can’t accomplish similar feats. This means that the coach, as soon as he arrived, knew how to strike the right chords.
“I say it clearly: Conceiçao has shown himself to be a great coach. In these two games, those who understand football have noticed his competence, in terms of tactics and strategy: Sergio has strong and clear ideas. And with the substitutions, all in an offensive key, he has given courage to the whole team.”
What is most impressive is Milan’s ability to react, as they have never previously shone with character and determination…
“Conceiçao arrived knowing what the problems were and in a few days he worked on these aspects to try to improve them. I was favourably impressed by the performances of his Porto, now I find confirmation. Milan have become a team that fights, that doesn’t give an inch, that presses, that wants to get to the ball quickly.”
Were you disappointed with Inter?
“Honestly, yes. At 2-0, a strong and experienced team like the Nerazzurri must put the game in the bank and hide the ball from the opponent. They didn’t succeed perhaps because they suffered too much from the vehement reaction of Milan.
“And, on a tactical level, Inter were not able to find a way to contain Leao: they could have thought of a double marking, a midfielder who could help the defence. I saw a team that was too passive.”
Could this defeat jeopardise the rest of the season?
“I hope not, because in my opinion Inter remain the most complete team in Serie A. They have the chance to win the Scudetto and fight until the end in the Champions League. Of course, this defeat must be managed, especially from a psychological point of view, with intelligence.
“But I am sure that the Nerazzurri directors, president Marotta first and foremost, and the coach will help the players to overcome this difficult moment.”
What did you expect from Inter at 2-0?
“To become totally in control of the pitch. They gave Milan too much space and in that space Leao and his teammates excelled.”
Is this really the turning point for the Rossoneri?
“I think that this victory, which probably no one expected, can give a big boost to the whole environment. Conceiçao is good and knows well that his work is only just beginning: the defensive phase, for example, must absolutely be improved, because Inter’s second goal cannot be conceded…
“But now there are the conditions to do well: in Italy the objective must be to get into the Champions League zone. If Milan is like this, they can do it. And if Leao continues to play at this level, then there will be fun in Europe too.”
