Ex Arsenal Veteran Receives Scathing Reviews For Off-The-Pace Display In Inter Milan Derby Loss To AC Milan | OneFootball

Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has received scathing reviews for his off-the-pace performance in Inter Milan’s derby loss to AC Milan.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, gave the Armenian a score of just 4.5/10 in the player ratings for the match. They branded him the worst performer on the pitch.

Veteran former Roma and Arsenal midfielder Mkhitaryan got the start yesterday.

The 35-year-old had not started against Manchester City in midweek. Rather, Piotr Zielinski had completed Inter’s midfield trio for the Champions League trio.

That was perhaps the clearest signal yet of the new pecking order at Inter.

The Nerazzurri have signed Zielinski to be not just a backup for Mkhitaryan. The two midfielders will alternate and compete for playing time. In both the big and small matches.

Last season, Mkhitaryan had been one of the players who virtually always started for Inter.

But now, with the Armenian well into his thirties, Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi will be looking to manage his minutes.

Scathing Reviews For Henrikh Mkhitaryan In Inter Derby Defeat Vs AC Milan

On paper, the rest that Mkhitaryan got against City should have been beneficial in view of the derby.

Inter coach Inzaghi’s strategy seemed clear. Mkhitaryan would get a rest in midweek but return for the derby, a fixture in which he has often been decisive.

However, the 35-year-old’s performance gave little evidence of that notion.

Mkhitaryan was the weakest link in an Inter midfield that was overrun, argues the Corriere.

A key factor was the Rossoneri’s ability to create numerical advantages in the centre of the pitch.

The positioning of winger Christian Pulisic and striker Alvaro Morata in deep and central areas choked Inter’s midfield of space.

So did the aggressive and well-timed closing down of Rossoneri holding midfielder Youssouf Fofana.

And Mkhitayran in particular could not cope.

The 35-year-old did not show his usual technical assurance. And far more than usual, he showed his age in terms of a relative lack of legs and energy.

It was Mkhitaryan who gave the ball away early on as Pulisic scored Milan’s equalizer.

And the Armenian never really recovered. In the end it was little surprise to see him exit the pitch for Davide Frattesi in the second half.