Former AC Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi has hailed the recent Supercoppa Italiana final between AC Milan and Inter Milan as a “beautiful match played at Premier League rhythms” and “a great advertisement for Italian football.”
“A match of international level, of the highest quality,” Sacchi commented, emphasizing the spectacular nature of the encounter. He highlighted several key observations about the game: “First: a beautiful match played at Premier League rhythms. Second: Milan is alive, as they demonstrated in the semifinal against Juventus and then against Inter. Third: Conceicao is an excellent coach. Fourth: Inter, with the qualities they have, must manage the game better when they are leading 2-0.”
When asked if Milan deserved the victory, Sacchi was unequivocal: “Yes. The challenge was balanced, but the Rossoneri added that extra bit of nastiness.”
The Key to Victory: Leao’s Impact
Sacchi identified Rafael Leao’s introduction as the match’s turning point. “Leao broke the game open. The Portuguese did impressive things,” he said. “And seeing him in these conditions makes me angry, to be honest. He has incredible qualities, both physical and technical, yet he doesn’t always manage to express them.”
Discussing Leao’s potential, Sacchi noted, “He would need a magic crystal ball to predict his future. I believe he needs to be constantly stimulated, both in training and during matches. Probably his temperament doesn’t help him – maybe he’s not a lion – but he has exceptional qualities: in speed, with the ball at his feet, nobody can stop him.”
Conceicao’s Influence
Sacchi was particularly impressed with new Milan coach Sergio Conceicao. “Conceicao has demonstrated he is an excellent coach,” he emphasized. “In these two matches, those who understand football have noticed his competence in tactics and strategy: Sergio has strong and clear ideas.”
He praised the team’s remarkable resilience: “Milan went behind twice and twice found the moral strength and physical energy to overturn the story. If you don’t have character, you can’t accomplish such feats.”
Inter’s Shortcomings
While complimentary of Milan’s performance, Sacchi expressed disappointment with Inter. “Sincerely, yes. When leading 2-0, a strong and experienced team like Inter should put the game in the bank and hide the ball from the opponent,” he said.
“I saw a team too passive,” Sacchi continued. “They couldn’t find a way to contain Leao – they could have considered double-marking or having a midfielder help the defensive sector.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Sacchi believes Inter remains the most complete team in Serie A. “I hope this defeat doesn’t compromise the rest of the season,” he said. “In my opinion, Inter remains the most complete team in Serie A. They have the possibility of winning the Scudetto and fighting until the end for the Champions League.”
For Milan, Sacchi sees this victory as a potential turning point. “I believe this victory, which probably no one expected, can give a great boost to the entire environment,” he concluded. “If Milan is like this, they can make it. And if Leao continues to play at these levels, then in Europe too, there will be excitement.”
