Downbeat Dimarco finds derby loss hard to explain: “We created too little”

Federico Dimarco has admitted that he cannot explain why Inter were unable to generate more of a response and create more against AC Milan.

The only goal of Sunday night’s game at San Siro came from the perhaps surprising source of Pervis Estupiñán in the 35th minute, as he fired a powerful shot into the top corner after being played through by Youssouf Fofana.

It is a first league double for the Rossoneri since the 2010–11 season, when Massimiliano Allegri was also in charge. Inter had a stoppage-time equaliser disallowed because the referee had blown to assess some pushing and shoving, while a late penalty appeal was turned away.

Dimarco spoke to DAZN after the full-time whistle to offer his assessments after what was another difficult night for the Nerazzurri against their city rivals, with his comments relayed by Football Italia.

What went wrong tonight?

“Milan dropped very deep after their goal, as was entirely to be expected, and the truth is that we created too little to really hurt them.

“We had prepared the match with a low-to-medium block so we could increase the press. When it came to my chance, the ball bobbled and I didn’t connect properly.”

Why did you not react better after their goal?

“When we concede a goal, we struggle to react a lot of the time, or rather we don’t react with enough determination. It is difficult to explain why we do that.

“The team is united, we are having a great season and are still seven points clear at the top, after all. We’ve got to stay calm, because our fate is still entirely in our hands.”

You are seven points clear, but the struggles in big games continues…

“You say that, but if someone had told us eight months ago that we’d be seven points clear at the top of the table, we wouldn’t have believed you. We’ve got to stay clear-headed and focus on these remaining 10 matches.”

What did you think of the penalty appeals?

“I didn’t see it, as I was on the other side of the pitch. Watching the video, the arm is quite wide, so it’s down to the interpretation of the referee. There could’ve been a VAR check.”