Simone Inzaghi’s assistant manager Massimiliano Farris reveals what Inter tweaked at half-time to turn Roma around in a 4-2 thriller. ‘This should be a warning.’
This was a tough test for the Nerazzurri, who found themselves trailing 2-1 at half-time to Gianluca Mancini and Stephan El Shaarawy goals following the Francesco Acerbi opener.
With Inzaghi suspended and watching from the press box of the Stadio Olimpico, he was only able to communicate with the squad with a message.
“He was fired up, because we had not done what we needed to in the first half,” Farris told DAZN.
“Roma had such a good start to the half and we conceded two avoidable goals in situations we had worked on in training.
“However, the second half confirmed these lads are extraordinary. In the big games, they might get 20 minutes wrong, but they get it right back on track.
“This should be a warning, though, because even a team like ours cannot believe this is enough, because the others are not letting go and anyone can cause us problems if we don’t have the right attitude.”
Marcus Thuram equalised for 2-2 and once again made himself enough of a nuisance in the six-yard box to force an own goal, this time from Angeliño after Federico Gatti last week for Juventus.
Just as the hosts were pouring forward in stoppages, Alessandro Bastoni completed the counter-attack for the 4-2 result.
“After the restart, we tried to use greater mobility to create that numerical superiority we needed to cause Roma problems.
“The input we gave them was to find the positions of the midfielders and make the most of the wing-backs. This forced Roma to stretch out and they struggled on the wings. It was not easy.
“We raised our level and these are extraordinary players who at the first sign of trouble were able to turn it around.”
It means that with the same number of matches played in Serie A this season, Inter are seven points clear of Juventus at the top of the table.
“Keeping the others behind us is very important, because they are not going to give up. Completing a comeback in a stadium like this, especially on a turf that was soaked by the rain, is remarkably important.
“We had to give our very best, the Inter in the second half is the one we know. The lads embraced at the final whistle aware they put in a great performance.”
While Inzaghi is often criticised by some for his squad rotation, substitutes Alexis Sanchez and Marko Arnautovic were crucial for the fourth goal.
“They always give their contribution when coming on. When leading 3-2, it was fundamental to find the strength to keep Roma away from our goal and Arnautovic getting the assist is very important for him.”
Inter now turn their focus towards the Champions League Round of 16 against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.
“We haven’t turned our minds to them yet, first we have to prepare Salernitana, then Atletico Madrid are a great team who we will try to face in the best way.
“The first leg is at home and the San Siro crowd will give a helping hand.”
#SerieA | @Inter, #Farris: "Nel secondo tempo è venuto fuori il motivo per cui questi ragazzi sono straordinari. Dev'essere un monito, perché andare su questi campi è difficilissimo. La chiamata di #Inzaghi? In realtà non c'è stata nessuna videochiamata" https://t.co/hviVRrtiuS
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 10, 2024