Former Inter Milan President Slams Team’s Attitude In Derby Defeat To Rivals AC Milan: ‘I Didn’t See Any Fire, Unacceptable’ | OneFootball

Massimo Moratti has delivered a sharp and unsparing verdict on Inter Milan’s 1-0 defeat to AC Milan, criticising the Nerazzurri’s attitude in the derby while urging the squad to rediscover their hunger ahead of a defining run-in that begins against Atalanta this weekend.

The former Inter president, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, traced the roots of Sunday’s performance back even further than the matchday itself, pointing to the Coppa Italia semi-final against Como as the moment passivity began to creep in.

“On Sunday at San Siro I did not see any fire, any tension,” he said bluntly, with quotes via FCInterNews.

“Unacceptable, especially in a derby. That defeat was born a few days earlier, at Como. We went and did not play in the Coppa Italia thinking there was still the second leg. The last ten minutes passing the ball backwards, shameful. We have the squad and the energy to always seek victory. That is how the passivity we then saw against Milan was trained. An enormous mistake.”

Former Inter Owner Moratti Slams Lack Of Fire In Milan Derby Defeat

His criticism extended to individuals.

Mkhitaryan‘s glaring miss moments before Estupinan scored was a particular source of frustration.

“Blessed boy, at Pinetina they should make him shoot balls into the goal for hours. An exceptional, complete player who made a wonderful move, but when he arrives in the box…”

He also weighed in on the Ricci handball incident with characteristic balance.

“I appreciated that Inter kept a low profile, zero excuses, even if that kind of situation has often been punished. But can you imagine what would have happened if the roles were reversed?”

On the whistling directed at Bastoni, Moratti was dismissive of those doing the booing.

“Absurd, especially because those who whistle him have players in their squad who put on great dramatics, writhing for minimal contact. Bastoni made a big mistake, including the celebration. But everything was amplified because it was Inter-Juventus.”

Despite the criticism, Moratti’s overall message was one of perspective and faith.

“The seven-point lead is large and deserved,” he said. “If we win the Scudetto, I hope someone does not try to make it seem like a normal thing.”