Italian Football Analyst Riccardo Mancini Reflects on Simone Inzaghi’s Late Substitutions in 3-2 Defeat to AC Milan

Simone Inzaghi and his Lazio side recently came away with a difficult 3-2 defeat to AC Milan. While Lazio was able to mount a comeback from down 2-0, the Biancocelesti was unable to score a third goal that could have given the side all three points.

There were many what-ifs to take away from the fixture. For Italian football journalist Riccardo Mancini, he is pinpointing Inzaghi’s late changes as to one factor that played a key role in the fixture. In the second half, Inzaghi elected to sub off both Ciro Immobile and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Mancini discussed Inzaghi’s late substitutions, with comments relayed by the Italian-based outlet La Lazio Siamo Noi.

I didn’t understand them either. Absence of Milinkovic and Immobile was felt on the pitch. They were missing not only on a technical level but also in terms of personality. At this moment we must also think about the absence of Leiva, fundamental in the Biancoceleste midfield.

Neither Cataldi nor Escalante can do that kind of work. In defense, Patric is not up to the level of the other defenders. Every now and then, we see him unhook to go forward and leave the hole at the back.

Had Lazio been able to come away with the victory in the fixture, it would have given the side a seventh-place standing in league play. Nonetheless, Lazio has work to do in order to make a late push to a possible top-four standing for this season.

Tags 2020/21 Serie A Lazio Riccardo Mancini Serie A