Ex Lazio Veteran Criticized For Nervy Defensive Display In Inter Milan Serie A Draw Vs Bologna | OneFootball

Francesco Acerbi has come in for some criticism for a nervy defensive display in Inter Milan’s Serie A draw against Bologna yesterday.

L’Interista note that the 35-year-old received middling scores across the board in the player ratings for the match across Italian media.

Acerbi started at the heart of Inter’s defense in yesterday’s match at the San Siro.

Ever since the veteran Italy international’s arrival from Lazio last summer, he has been a reliable presence in that position.

But Acerbi did not have the most memorable of matches yesterday.

In truth, the 35-year-old former Sassuolo man looked a bit nervy.

There was a sense that Acerbi was a little too anxious to make challenges and be aggressive. This was not necessarily what the match called for.

Instead, particularly once Inter had the advantage, a more composed defensive performance was required.

Acerbi is generally a player who can provide the kind of straightforward marking and positioning that may not be flashy, but negates the opposition strikers.

Yesterday afternoon, he was not able to do so as much.

Important Goal – But Some Fratilties At The Other End For Francesco Acerbi Vs Bologna

Acerbi did get his first goal of the season, which was certainly a point in the defender’s favour.

The 35-year-old rose highest to meet a Hakan Calhanoglu. He showed his presence in the Bologna penalty area and gave Rossoblu keeper Lukasz Skorupski little chance.

However, Acerbi was also culpable at the other end.

When Bologna equalized at the start of the second half, the Italian was at least partly responsible for the defensive mix-up.

Inter’s back three came unglued, and there was not sufficient coverage to stop Rossoblu striker Joshua Zirkzee from beating Yann Sommer.

And part of a reason for that was a lack of communication. Moreover, the sense was that Acerbi lacked his usual composure to react quickly and without a fuss.