Ex West Ham & Lazio Striker Slams Inter Milan & Swiss Defender After Juventus Defeat: “Made Mistakes In 2 Out Of 4 Goals” | OneFootball

Inter Milan newcomer Manuel Akanji failed to impress Paolo Di Canio in his Serie A debut against Juventus on Saturday.

Speaking to Sky Sport via FCInter1908, Di Canio slammed the Swiss center-back for an underwhelming performance in the derby.

Expectations were sky-high ahead of the 30-year-old’s maiden appearance in Serie A.

Indeed, Manuel Akanji joined Inter Milan on loan from Manchester City on deadline day with a pedigree of a world-class defender.

Despite lacking time to get familiar with the new surroundings, Cristian Chivu included him in the starting line-up last weekend.

Akanji took Yann Bisseck’s place, lining up alongside Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni.

However, it was not a debut to remember.

On the contrary, it was a catastrophe of epic proportions as Inter conceded four goals at the Allianz Stadium.

Scoring three themselves was not enough as they slumped to a 4-3 defeat.

Paolo Di Canio Criticizes Manuel Akanji After Inter Milan Loss vs Juventus

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Manuel Akanji of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Emirates Stadium on February 02, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Di Cannio sees Akanji as a direct culprit for two of Juventus’ four goals.

“If you concede four goals, it means something went wrong,” Di Cannio said. “But most of them are situational.

“Only the last goal is Sommer’s serious responsibility.

“For the other three, better marking or stepping up to challenge Yildiz or break the line could have made a difference.

“There was a lack of aggression and determination.

“For the first goal, Kelly just stands there, not moving like a striker. Akanji is there too, and even on Thuram’s header, Akanji doesn’t jump.

“Akanji collapses, doesn’t jump at all. There’s no reason for him to do that.

“There are no other opponents, he should only be tracking Kelly. Instead, he moves back too much and is too late when he arrives.

“Sommer? Nothing fancy, he’s a quail. It’s a blunder. The ball slips through his hands.

“It’s not even at the corner; it’s a mid-height shot, the typical goalkeeping fumble. That’s why he looks like a quail.”