Another masterful performance from Francesco Acerbi, who confirmed his enormous defensive prowess, especially when dealing with the best forwards around. Last night, it was Harry Kane‘s turn to suffer the tight marking of the Inter centre-back, despite the English striker’s frequent attempts to move across the entire attacking front.
This is also why Acerbi has been voted among the best performers on the pitch during the win against Bayern Munich, as reflected in the ratings from the top Italian sports newspapers:
LA GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT 7.5 – Showed talent, not just experience. Nights like this require class. Always in the right position, thriving when the defence drops deep, forcing Kane to move away to find even the smallest opening.
CORRIERE DELLO SPORT 7 – Kane is a harder opponent than most because he is not a static centre-forward; he moves widely and creates spaces. Acerbi was excellent in stepping up to support and bypass the initial pressing.
TUTTOSPORT 7 – Reminiscent of Samuel’s style; he immediately confronts Kane firmly, making clear to him from the start what’s in store. The Englishman soon becomes tame as a kitten.
PASSIONE INTER 7 – Kane is an atypical forward and doesn’t give many reference points. Acerbi keeps his composure, managing spaces carefully and confidently, preventing Bayern Munich’s players from breaking through. He misses closing down only a cross by Laimer, but it would have been asking him for the impossible.
