Inter Milan & Italy Star Admits: ‘Last Season I Was Playing At 40%, Thanks To My Teammates For Covering’ | OneFootball

Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi admits that he was “only playing at 40%” for much of last season.

The 36-year-old spoke to InterTV, via FCInterNews. He credited his teammates for helping him get through the season despite struggling at times.

Last season, Acerbi was a key player for Inter as they won the Serie A title.

The Italian international split starting duties in the centre of Inter’s back three with fellow former Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij.

But more often than not, it was Acerbi who got the nod in the biggest matches.

Acerbi has proven to be the perfect fit at the centre of Inter’s back three.

The veteran defender knows coach Simone Inzaghi well. And with his height, physicality, and reading of the game, he knows how to mark strikers and marshal the Nerazzurri penalty area.

Moreover, Acerbi also had the versatility to fill in on the left of Inter’s back three at times last season.

Inter Defender Francesco Acerbi: “I Was Only Playing At 40% Last Season”

Acerbi is now in his third season as an Inter player.

In his first, the 2022-23 campaign, the Italian international had to prove a lot of doubters wrong. Many viewed him as an underwhelming, low-cost signing compared to targets like Bremer.

But Acerbi did just that. And by last season, there were few doubts about his ability to be Inter’s rock at the back.

However, as the 36-year-old has revealed, he had to deal with some physical difficulties last season.

Acerbi admitted that “Last season, I was playing at 40 or 50%.”

“I don’t even know how I managed to play,” the Inter defender looked back.

But then Acerbi said that “This season I’m feeling good.”

“I thank my teammates,” the 36-year-old aid. “They did a brilliant job of covering for where I was lacking, which affected me almost the entire season.”