Simone Inzaghi confirms Benjamin Pavard ‘is an objective’ for Inter and Romelu Lukaku spurned a ‘warm welcome’ to ruin his rapport with the club, but there is faith going into the new season.
Their campaign kicks off on Saturday against Monza at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
“It’s going to be an emotional evening, our first time seeing the fans since the night of Istanbul, where they were marvellous,” said the coach in his press conference.
Although Inter emerged with a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City, that was their first Champions League Final in over a decade, earning Inzaghi a nomination for UEFA Coach of the Year.
“I am happy and share the nomination with the club, my staff and players, both those who are still here and those who have left.”
There have been many changes over the summer, including the departure of Marcelo Brozovic, Andre Onana, Samir Handanovic, Milan Skriniar and Lukaku.
“The transfer window is complicated for almost everyone. We have lost some of the best players in their roles in Italy, but brought in those with bright prospects who can help us out. We changed a great deal, some of it was our choice, some choices were dictated by the players.
“I thank Lukaku for what he gave us last season. I wanted him here and would’ve liked that to continue, but he made a different decision. It’s disappointing how it ended, because he had been given a warm welcome by the Inter family.”
Lukaku had been on the verge of negotiating a permanent switch from Chelsea after the loan spell, only to break off talks because he was in negotiations with their Serie A arch-rivals Juventus.
“Marcus Thuram and Marko Arnautovic are new, but we know they can guarantee the goals that Lukaku and Edin Dzeko gave us last season. Thuram already speaks perfect Italian and that will help him settle. We are competitive in every area of the squad, we are just lacking a defender now who can work on the centre-right.”
When Inzaghi was asked if Pavard fit the bill, he acknowledged that was true.
“He is an objective, but I don’t like talking about players in other teams. He is not the only option and we need a player in that area.”
Many consider Inter to be among the favourites to win the Scudetto and again go far in the Champions League.
“I don’t like talking about favourites. I would like to win, the fans deserve it and our objective is to win trophies. The fixture list also doesn’t tell you much, because last season when everyone said we had a tough run of games, we actually climbed the table with eight wins and a draw in 10 rounds.”