Simone Inzaghi complains that pundits said Inter were weaker at the start of the season while now ‘it feels like we must win the Euros in place of Italy’ and insists the management of Davide Frattesi ‘is not a problem.’
Inzaghi met the media at a pre-match press conference on Friday on the eve of Saturday’s Derby della Madonnina against Milan.
“Undoubtedly, Inter and Milan have done well. It’s just the fourth game, but we want to do well,” Inzaghi said as quoted by Fcinternews.
Frattesi scored two goals with Italy earlier this week but had started each of the opening three Serie A games with Inter on the bench.
“We wanted Davide at all costs, he has settled in well and has been working well with his teammates for two months,” noted Inzaghi.
“I have decisions to make and I am happy to do so. There was a moment last season when I had no choices, but then the situation changed and Inter improved.
“Frattesi and Nicolò Barella have played together during the pre-season. They have proved they can do so with Inter and Italy. We’ll see. I am only concerned about making decisions for the team’s good. It’s not a problem for me.”
Juan Cuadrado and Alexis Sanchez are not fully fit, but Inzaghi hopes he can rely on a full team on Saturday.
“We know how much the derby counts for all. I hope Cuadrado and Sanchez will be available, from Sunday, we’ll focus on the Champions League,” he said.
“We’ll play seven games in 22 days. I’d be happy to have all the players available, but it won’t be easy. Everyone’s training well. I think everyone will be available tomorrow, then I’ll make decisions. We’ll see what happens then.
“I always have doubts. Even more today,” he continued.
“I only saw Lautaro for 30 minutes yesterday. I’ll see Cuadrado and Sanchez today. I must make my assessments. Somebody played 180 minutes, others 45. I’ll decide tomorrow.”
How have Inter and Milan changed compared to last season?
“Inter have changed two players, Milan three or four. There isn’t much difference,” argued Inzaghi.
“We have both started well. We have our identity. It’s not a decisive game tomorrow, but we know how important it is for the club and the fans.
“I am proud to have won some derbies last season, especially because they led us to the Champions League Final, but what we did in the past is not enough to win tomorrow.
“Milan have changed, but they stick to the same principles. They are aggressive organised and more physical. They will surely do well.”
Do they have a plan to stop Rafael Leao?
“We’ll keep a close eye on him, as we’ve always done. Sometimes well, sometimes not too well. He has great quality, like Inter players,” said Inzaghi.
Both Inter and Milan have scored eight goals in Serie A so far in 2023-24, but the Nerazzurri are yet to concede a goal. Are Inzaghi’s team favourite to win the Scudetto?
“I don’t like predictions. At the beginning of the season, they said we were weaker, now it feels like we must win the Euros in place of Italy,” said Inzaghi.
“We know there’s a lot of work to do and that we’ll face strong opponents tomorrow.
We had two new players in the first three games. We’ve lost important team members because that’s what the club needed. At the same time, they have picked young and experienced footballers. We have started well. Time will tell what we can do.
“We know we did our best last season and this is why it’s hard to say if we are better than last season,” continued Inzaghi.
“We hope we can have 57 games remaining, we are Inter and we play to win.”
This guy talks so much rubbish.