ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - FC Inter Milan

Posted by Gianni Serra on 04/04/2011

One season in one minute, or even less. It took very little effort from AC Milan to win the battle of battles against Inter. The Milan Derby has rarely been so crucial for Inter, because rarely has there been so much at stake for Nerazzurri - a new Scudetto and a new treble in sight. The way the Italian champions wasted the chance to overtake their local rivals at the top of Serie A was amazing.

After the game Leonardo said that Pato's first minute goal changed everything. But there were 89 minutes left. Plenty of time to turn the game around. The inconvenient truth for the Brazilian coach was that his woeful tactical choices combined with the lack of hunger of his players were the two main factors behind AC Milan's sudden resurrection. Inter's starting eleven were defeat bound before the kickoff. And when your contribution to your opponent's fortunes is more decisive than their own merits you need to admit it and change.

• AC Milan blog: Derby dreams

Choosing to play with a light two-man midfield against the most muscular diamond in the whole Italian league was suicidal. There was no way Thiago Motta and Cambiasso [both very static and incapable to tackle, their ball-stealing abilities rely only on good positioning] could win any ball against the likes of Gattuso, Seedorf, Boateng and Van Bommel. In fact they didn't.

The only chance for this 4-2-1-3 formation to work needed a pressing à la Sacchi from the four forwards. But among Sneijder, Pandev, Pazzini and Eto'o only the Cameroon striker possesses enough legs and will do this job incessantly. But what a waste it would be. Eto'o on the left was Mourinho's crime but no one dared to argue with the Portuguese. Not even Eto'o. Benitez restored Inter's number 9 as a proper forward and Leonardo stuck to it firmly, until the Derby. Why changing? Playing Eto'o so wide was suicidal - far from the penalty box and never close to Abate. A huge mistake.

In the first 30 minutes Motta and Cambiasso were always outplayed and AC Milan could have doubled their lead if Rizzoli would have awarded a penalty for a Maicon hand touch. Some Julio Cesar saves and the crossbar (hit by Van Bommel) kept Inter hopes alive. When AC Milan's midfielders retreated the Champions of Europe began to play. It happened in the last ten minutes of the first half. A very short spell but enough to create two clear goal opportunities with Thiago Motta (denied by a great save from Abbiati) and Eto'o (missed a sitter). In the second half, after only nine minutes, Chivu was sent off for fouling Pato as the last man. Inter reaction? No trace. Just like the invisible 30 minutes played by Milito. Unfortunately for Inter and Leonardo the League title's gone but the upcoming Champions League fixture with Schalke is a perfect timed opportunity to put this painful defeat out of their mind.

A defeat which can turn out to be an invaluable lesson for a young coach like the Brazilian - to play attacking football you need the ball first. Inter and Leo can start their second coming from here.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Leonardo. Against his former team the Brazilian coach took a gamble. A very big gamble. And he lost. Simple as that. He's been the driving force behind Inter's memorable recover in the league, now he's the main culprit of the Derby defeat. Big coaches learn from their mistakes and Leonardo will learn.

Serie A 2010-11 / Day 31

AC MILAN-INTER 3-0 (1-0)

AC Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Van Bommel, Gattuso (Flamini 51'), Seedorf; Boateng; Pato (Emanuelson 84'), Robinho (Cassano 80'). Coach: Allegri
Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Ranocchia, Chivu (Cordoba 55'), Zanetti; Cambiasso (Stankovic 71'), Thiago Motta; Sneijder; Pandev, Pazzini (Milito 62'), Eto'o. Coach: Leonardo

Referee: Rizzoli
Goals: Pato 1', 62', Cassano 90' penalty
Yellow cards: Robinho, Van Bommel, Zambrotta; Maicon, Zanetti
Red cards: Cassano 92'; Chivu 54'

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Comments

Posted by Sam on 04/04/2011

A fair assessment Gianni. There is no doubt the international break came at the right time for Milan and the wrong for Inter. Milans midfield hatchetmen of van Bommel, the Materazziesque Gattuso, Flamini and the immenently unlikeable 'Prince' were all over our midfield, aiming to break as many bones as possible, whilst their forward dive team led ably by Robinho and assisted by, sniper shot to the shoulder, Cassano. Caused our defence no end of trouble.
We looked slow and tired, Pazzini couldnt get involved, Eto't looked out of sorts, Chivu again worryingly suspect and Maicon lazy. Leo needed to take Milan's thrusts in the first 20 before pushing his team forward. But as you said, hopefully he learnt something.
As for Milito, I thought he looked ok coming on with a man short and only fleeting glimpses of the ball. He moved well, looked for the ball and even caused a few problems for the defence. Massive game tomorrow. We have to move on from this setback and look ahead.

Posted by Tunde on 04/04/2011

How come Eto'o missed a sitter when he was ruled offside, the goal would not have counted had he scored.

Posted by Moises on 04/04/2011

Do you really think the Scudetto is gone? 7 games and only 5 points of difference... But this, I really wasn't expecting this. The Treble is still possible.

Posted by nima on 04/05/2011

I think wk 36 will decide the league. Milan can still drop points. Forza beneamata

Posted by footyfetish on 04/05/2011

You're so right, soon as I saw the formation (no Stankovic?!) I knew we were in trouble. The game was lost in the midfield, which AC dominated pretty much throughout. Surprisingly, though, AC only created a few clear chances (that is, before the Chivu dismissal). I mean, really, their first goal was kinda lucky-- Chivu and Rannochia did well to shield Pato out but Cesar was slow coming out, which gave Robinho a sniff at the ball, and then Pato just woke up with the ball at his feet. Their second goal was from a clear off-side position, and that killed the game, etc. In all fairness they should've had a penalty for the Maicon handball. Anyway, the whole team was sub-par in this game, even Eto'o (playing out of his favored position). Hope they get their act together today against Schalke.

@Tunde -- Eto'o was NOT ruled offside when he missed that sitter (and he wasn't offside, either). There was no flag on the play.

Posted by Gianni on 04/05/2011

@ Sam. I don't see Maicon as lazy, more as a player who's lacking fitness and has reduced a lot his runs. It's been playing like that for months. He used to be Inter's unstoppable weapon but at the moment he's just relying on pride and experience. A weak link unfortunately.
@ Tunde. Please, read footyfetish comment til the end...
@ Moises. Milan can drop points? Maybe you're right. But I don't rate Napoli as title challenger and both Inter and Udinese, in my opinion, lost confidence after their defeats at Milan and Lecce.
@ Footyfetish. I think Inter are capable to switch on vs Schalke. The German side is not so weak as someone suggests but a highly motivated Inter should win.

Posted by Tunde on 04/05/2011

@footyfetish, I am going with what the journalist on fox soccer channel said, that Eto'o was flagged offside, eventhough the cameras didn't show the linesman raising his flag.

Posted by Tunde on 04/05/2011

Inter must play 4312 until the end of the season, to have a chance to win the league. Cambiasso must sit infront of the defence,be very compact even if it means boring 1-0 victories.our shape and defence is killing us.

Posted by Stephen ngeh on 04/05/2011

You have to buy defenders younger ones that can stand the test of time. Also attacking midfielder.

Posted by Marco on 04/05/2011

Yeah... so much for turning it on versus Shalke.
#embarrassed

Posted by Austin on 04/05/2011

@ Marco. Yeah I still can't believe what just happened. Something needs to be done about Chivu - two red cards in two important games...in a ROW. Come on. I hate to say it but our defense is looking pitiful, and for a team that prides itself on just that its not acceptable. We need Samuel back so badly its almost sad.

Posted by sam on 04/05/2011

What an absolute catastrophie. Five goals conceded from five amatuer mistakes. 1) Stankovic leaves his man free for a free header on the back post. 2) Chivu gives his man far too much space allowing a simple through ball 3) Rannochia own goal again too much space allowing a free cross 4) Rannochia allows his man to turn and shoot on the edge of the box 5)and Rauls goal which was good but saw both central defenders leave space in behind.
What a joke. It should have been clear after the derby that Rannochia and Chivu just cant play together. Leonardo should have subbed Chivu at half time because his second yellow was inevitable. Going forward Inter looked good, Milito and Eto'o were alright and the midfield with Zanetti looked solid but in defense it was a shambles by both the midfield who allowed way too much space in between the lines and the defences who seemed unsure about how to defend. Hopefully Lucio coming back and Chivus suspension will help repair this trainwreck of a week.

Posted by oem software on 02/12/2012

wET8gH Hello! How do you feel about young composers?!...

Posted by Mike on 05/11/2012

It really is a sad saotitiun. The decision making from the top has been terrible in the past year and a half putting Inter in a terrible position moving forward. The only way I see things getting better if we bet solely on the young players we have and wait it out, or spend crazy money to fix things only to go through this mess again.Thanks for commenting.

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