Sacchi: ‘Criticism of Inzaghi and Ancelotti is incomprehensible’ | OneFootball

Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi insists the fact that Simone Inzaghi and Carlo Ancelotti are receiving criticism means ‘the football world can be truly incomprehensible.’

It has been a disastrous few days for Inter, who lost 1-0 to Bologna and were caught at the top of the Serie A table by Napoli, then lost 3-0 to Milan and crashed out of the Coppa Italia semi-final.

Meanwhile, Marca report that if Real Madrid lose the Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona this evening, then Ancelotti could be fired even before the end of the season.

This is all very alarming to former Milan and Italy coach Sacchi.

Sacchi slams critics of Inzaghi and Ancelotti

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 19: (L-R) Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti and Arrigo Sacchi attend the Italian Football Federation Hall of Fame Award ceremony at Palazzo Vecchio on January 19, 2015 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Thank goodness there are still sage directors who have their heads firmly on their shoulders,” Sacchi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I ask you, after what we’ve seen in the last few seasons, how can anyone still doubt Simone Inzaghi? The football world can be truly incomprehensible at times.

“Mind you, if they are criticising Ancelotti in Madrid, that means anything goes…”

While a week ago there was talk of Inter completing the Treble, now they risk ending the season empty-handed, although it probably won’t affect Inzaghi’s status at San Siro.

“Simone is a great coach who over the years proved he could grow and improve, with study and hard work. He’s top of the Serie A table, is in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, so why shouldn’t the evaluation be positive?” added Sacchi.

“Looking back 15 days, he was a phenomenon after beating Bayern Munich in Germany, now he’s suddenly become a donkey? Blasting a coach over two defeats is not my way of thinking.

“It’s possible mistakes were made, but to err is human, and nobody is immune from that.”

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Vincent Kompany, Head Coach of Bayern Munich, shakes hands with Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Inzaghi had been an expert at squad rotation over the years, but it seems to have hit problems recently, with key players too important.

“If he rotated, it means he felt they needed it. There are no teams out there whose second choice players are every bit as good as the first, not even Real Madrid.

“Of course Frattesi is not Barella, that Asllani doesn’t have the class of Calhanoglu and Taremi isn’t as effective as Thuram. When you play as many games as Inter are this season, they need to take these risks.”

Sacchi praises Inzaghi for “giving Inter a clear tactical identity, and playing some great football, as well. The Champions League performances are helping all of Italian football to evolve.”