Arrigo Sacchi, writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, commented on last night's 1-1 draw between Milan and Inter in the Coppa Italia derby:
"Given what we saw in this first leg of the San Siro derby, a draw is a fair result. Now we must prepare for fireworks in the second leg in three weeks, and at that point, it will be crucial to see in what physical condition Inter and Milan arrive. We’re in spring, and let’s not forget that in these cases, the difference is often made by muscle power and sharpness in the legs."
"The first half was dominated by balance. Inter created a couple of chances, and Milan responded blow for blow. I noticed great tactical discipline, with the Nerazzurri lining up in their classic 3-5-2 and the Rossoneri settling into a 4-4-2 when defending. I appreciated both teams’ focus on closing spaces, doubling up on markers, and pressing—though not as aggressively as I like. Perhaps the tempo could have been slightly higher, but clearly, in the players' minds, this was the first leg of a semifinal, and the priority was not to give anything away to the opponent with the return match in mind. After all, a spot in the Coppa Italia final is at stake—this isn’t just any trophy."
Sacchi concluded:
"And while for Inter, this is one of the three objectives still within reach, for Milan, it’s more of a lifeline. Winning the cup wouldn’t turn a disappointing season into a positive one—too many mistakes have been made by the players, coaches, and management alike—but it would give meaning to the entire campaign. And let’s never forget: lifting a trophy allows you to write your name in history."
