Arrigo Sacchi thinks Atalanta v Arsenal in the Champions League will be a ‘spectacle’, while Manchester City have flaws that Inter can exploit. The new-format European competition begins this week, with all five Serie A sides in action. Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, broke down each of the match, sharing his thoughts on the fixtures and what he expects from the Italian sides.
Bologna-Shakhtar
Wednesday, 18:45
Before analyzing the match, let me congratulate Bologna for playing their first Champions League game. They had been in the European Cup in ’64-65. I’m happy because they deserved this reward and because last season they showed beautiful football. I hope they can repeat, if not improve: never set limits to dreams, ambition is the engine that moves everything. If one were not ambitious and did not desire to move forward, there would be no progress. Now let’s come to the match. Shakhtar is a bit of an inconsistent team. In the sense that they have ups and downs, they’re not consistent in performance. They do beautiful things and others to forget. This is evidenced by their recent results: 3 wins and 2 losses. In defense, the Ukrainians are not attentive and precise, but in Europe few teams are. However, when they have the ball at their feet, they have ideas and speed. The important thing is that Bologna doesn’t get caught up in emotion, which could be understandable, and follows their coach’s instructions to the letter. Italiano is a good coach, a strategist, one who knows how to look ahead and teach football. We just need to give him time to build his project without putting too much pressure on him. A success would be fuel for Bologna’s entire season.
Inter-Manchester City
Wednesday, 21:00
City is speeding through the Premier League, with a perfect record and Haaland scoring prolifically. I believe the match against Inter can say a lot, because the Nerazzurri group is well-equipped to face the Champions League as protagonists. Guardiola’s players have great technical qualities, so it would be good for Inter not to leave them dominating the game because otherwise they will excel. Inzaghi’s team is playing well, the actions are well-constructed, the ball slides quickly from one side to the other. The important thing is that the Nerazzurri are not afraid, do not retreat too much in front of City, because they would bring problems close to their own penalty area. And then let’s not forget that City also has some flaws and it’s on these flaws that Inzaghi will have to build the game. For example, Guardiola’s team in the defensive phase is not always unbeatable. And then the players often receive the ball while standing still, so it’s easier to press. I hope to see a courageous Inter, as they have often shown to be, that wants to overturn the action, and manages to create numerical superiority in the ball area. In this way, they would disrupt even a great team like City and send a strong signal to the entire Champions League.
Atalanta-Arsenal
Thursday, 21:00
This is a match not to be missed. I believe the spectacle is guaranteed, because both Atalanta and Arsenal seek to entertain people by playing football. The English will arrive in Bergamo strong from their away success in the derby against Tottenham: they are in great shape, have fast and technical players, and are guided by a coach who has clear ideas, knowledge, and the ability to quickly transmit the message to the whole group. Arteta is a strategist, a Spaniard who comes from Guardiola’s school. I predict a high-tempo match. Actually, very high. An action on one side and an action on the other, continuous changes of front because neither of the two, by mentality, is willing to lower their head. Atalanta, who had some problems at the start of this season mainly due to injuries and the transfer market, won an important match against Fiorentina. They are not yet at their peak physical condition, but they are growing. And Gasperini, after the feat accomplished last season with the triumph in the Europa League, will surely have already started to charge up his boys. In international matches, the psychological aspect is fundamental, and from this point of view, Atalanta has grown a lot in the recent period. I repeat: the audience will not be bored.
