Last night's Champions League semi-final between AC Milan and Inter was a fantastic occasion.
Two genuine giants of European football, the Milan rivals had not graced this stage for quite some time. In fact, neither team had reach the semi-finals in this competition since they last won it, in 2007 (AC Milan) and 2010 (Inter). Of course, the fact that the fixture was taking place in their shared home of the San Siro only added to the atmosphere.
The game itself was an exciting affair. The 'away' team on the night, Inter would ultimately emerge victorious on a 2-0 scoreline thanks to two early goals.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan makes it two 🤯#UCL pic.twitter.com/039rKVFUFd
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 10, 2023
The result leaves AC Milan with plenty to do in the second leg, although you wouldn't rule out a comeback.
While the game itself was an exciting affair, some felt that the coverage of the occasion left plenty to be desired.
BT Sport criticised for coverage of Champions League Milan derby
When it comes to their Serie A coverage, BT Sport have developed a sparkling reputation in recent seasons.
The way in which they broadcast top flight Italian football is as good as any broadcaster's coverage of top flight football in any country, with the team of James Richardson, James Horncastle, and Adam Summerton providing the perfect blend of entertainment and top class insight and analysis.
However, despite having the ability to trot out a brilliant line-up for a high stakes game featuring two Italian teams, BT opted to go in a very different direction last night.
They decided to stick with a more traditional Champions League punditry group for the fixture.
The much maligned Jake Humphries maintained his place as presenter, with Owen Hargreaves, Steven Gerrard, and Peter Crouch acting as off-site pundits. Rio Ferdinand was the only pundit sent to the San Siro to provide some pitch-side 'analysis', with Steve McManaman in the commentary booth.
Looking at that group, you wouldn't think that it would be one that possesses a wealth of knowledge on Italian football. As the broadcast went on, it was clear that such thoughts were correct.
The punditry group relied on some very vague knowledge of the two teams involved to get them through the pre-match buildup. They focused mainly on the only players that they had actually watched more than a handful times, that being those who previously played in the Premier League. Their pre-match discussion was a general one at best.
"There's a lot of fear of losing these types of games!"
Steven Gerrard shares insight of the pressures involved in such a high stakes game between local rivals...#UCL pic.twitter.com/1dLKTmF7X1— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 10, 2023
Hardly cutting edge stuff.
James Horncastle was given a small role in the broadcast alongside Ferdinand, whose only contribution to the show was going on about how good the atmosphere was.
"I've never seen anything like the anticipation for this game!" 💥@rioferdy5 & @JamesHorncastle get a sense of the atmosphere pitchside at San Siro...
🎙️ @seemajaswal#UCL pic.twitter.com/ZVZUrZJGUX— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 10, 2023
You certainly would not have lost much by leaving the former Manchester United defender out there.
Those who watched the game could not believe the decision BT made to abandon their regular Serie A panel in favour of bigger names with much less knowledge on the two teams involved.
It’s mad to me that, with James Richardson literally still on their payroll, alongside a variety of journalists who cover Italian football extensively, BT Sport decided to stick with the likes of Rio Ferdinand on their coverage of AC Milan v Inter last night.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) May 11, 2023
When will this they learn that 99% of British sports audiences hates other British sports teams and individuals? Stop trying to cater for an audience that doesn’t exist.
— Chris Winterburn (@cmwinterburn) May 10, 2023
BT Sport went Dark with their match coverage of Milan v Inter 😭 pic.twitter.com/mBVtvObIzL
— They Think Kits All Over (@TheyThinkKits) May 10, 2023
Thought it might impossible for BT Sport just to talk about Milan and Inter tonight without having to bring British teams in to it.
— ForzaMilan 1️⃣9️⃣🏆🇮🇹 (@uk_acmilan) May 10, 2023
This is who BT Sport had as pundits for the Milan derby tonight 🤦♂️ didn't even get James Richardson to host https://t.co/B0pZTozgvG
— Show Time Berisha 🇽🇰 (@BerishaShow) May 10, 2023
BT Sport cover every Serie A match with specialist commentators, pundits, presenters. Ignoring all that to end up with this standard of coverage for one of the biggest games of the season is desperately selling viewers short.
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) May 10, 2023
Grew up with James Richardson doing Football Italia on Channel 4 on a Sunday morning, he covers the Serie A on BT & does the champs league goals show for them too... yet can't get a look in for a Milan derby in champions league semi final on BT? Absolute shambles https://t.co/zAbCuzhEE8
— Michael Monan (@michaelmonan01) May 10, 2023
Shocking from BT to have Humphrey, those three pundits and two clowns on comms when you have the Serie A rights.
Where are Richardson & Horncastle? Actual experts.— Matthew Kirby (@m_kirby95) May 10, 2023
BT’s Serie A BT’s Champions
Coverage. League Coverage pic.twitter.com/A409afctCL— Andrew Gillan (@andrewgillan) May 10, 2023
Imagine if BT Sport put the Serie A lads on an all English Champs League semi final.
Actually, it would still by loads better.— The North Curve (@TheNorthCurve) May 10, 2023
Why didn’t BT just use their Serie A coverage for this? Would have been so much better
— Jimmy (@EntireDesign_) May 10, 2023
Would set the over/under on the combined Serie A matches watched by the BT pundits and Jake Humphrey at around 2.5. James Richardson and Horncastle should be in studio with other regular Italian football watchers that actually know their subject
— Emmet O'Keeffe (@WoefulPunditry) May 10, 2023
It certainly feels like football fans were let down on this one, being given pundits who had no more insight than the general punter on the teams involved.
You would certainly expect more for a Champions League semi-final.
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