Simone Inzaghi warns Inter must be ‘fully concentrated’ against Genoa to keep their perfect 2024 going and is not concerned by absentees. ‘Players always gave a great response.’
It kicks off on Monday at 19.45 GMT.
The Nerazzurri won their rescheduled Week 21 fixture 4-0 midweek against Atalanta, allowing them to go 12 points clear at the top of the Serie A table.
That could be further extended, considering Juventus are away to reigning champions Napoli this evening.
They are forced into changes against Genoa, as Alessandro Bastoni sits out a ban, with Hakan Calhanoglu, Marcus Thuram, Davide Frattesi, Francesco Acerbi, Stefano Sensi and Juan Cuadrado injured.
“There will be some changes, but I am fortunate enough to have lads at my disposal who always gave a great response when called upon,” Inzaghi told Inter TV.
It is almost a full squad for Genoa coach Alberto Gilardino, who is expected to start Mateo Retegui, Albert Gudmundsson and ex-Milan man Junior Messias.
“Genoa are a very good team, they have 33 points in the table and are having an excellent campaign. I think in the last 12 games they only lost late on to Atalanta, so they are in good shape and we must be fully concentrated. We’ve got to avoid misplaced passes and try to build out from the back in our usual way.”
Inter dropped points in only four Serie A rounds this season and one of them was against Genoa, when held to a 1-1 draw at Marassi in December.
“My staff and I just bring our tactical principles to the squad and then the lads are very good at putting them into practice.”
However, they have won every single competitive match played in 2024, including the Supercoppa Italiana and Champions League. Inzaghi was asked what word he would use to describe their form.
“I’d say ‘continue’ – these two months have been great, but we already know there are difficult matches coming up and we must continue to play with pace, aggression and determination.”