Simone Inzaghi had no preconceptions about Inter’s upcoming Derby della Madonnina clash with rivals Milan, noting that ‘derbies are all stories in themselves’.
The Nerazzurri recently flew to a 3-0 win over their intercity rivals in the Supercoppa Italiana final in Saudi Arabia back in January, further increasing the Rossoneri’s woes after their sluggish start to 2023.
Milan have slipped to fifth in the Serie A table after a path of poor form and haven’t won in their last four league outings, suffering painful losses to Lazio 4-0 and Sassuolo 5-2.
Speaking in a press conference, Inzaghi first discussed the importance of the Derby della Madonnina.
“We know, the derby is a game we all feel very strongly about. We’ll need head and heart, we’ll arrive ready to give everything on the pitch and happy with qualification for the Coppa Italia semi-final, but we’ll think about that in April.”
He commented on how his team will react against Milan following their Supercoppa Italiana success.
“Well, clearly derbies are all stories in themselves. In this year and a half, we’ve played many of them, six. The cup ones allowed us to win two important trophies, the league ones were disappointments, starting with the first one where we drew by missing a penalty.
“The best solution is to face them with the right concentration, you risk arriving at the match with a lot of mental energy spent.”
He was asked if the Nerazzurri were aiming for the Scudetto still or just Champions League qualification.
“At this stage of the season every point is very important for any objective, we know tomorrow what it represents.”
Inzaghi confirmed that Skriniar would be part of the Inter squad for the derby.
“I don’t judge his choices but the man and the player, who are unique. He’s a wonderful guy, who works very well every day. He’ll probably be a starter tomorrow.”
He touched on the work of Romelu Lukaku this season.
“Romelu in my opinion had a very good game, on the rise, against Atalanta, the more time passed the more he’s improved.
“That’s my hope, I hope to get everyone into a condition where they can all start from the beginning. He’s growing, like Correa…
“Now I think I’ll get Brozovic and Handanovic back for tomorrow, even though there are two training sessions to go.”
The Inter coach confirmed that Skriniar will no longer be the club’s captain.
“We have hierarchies based on appearances, because of what happened he will no longer be the captain.
“It was discussed very calmly with the club and the player, the captain is Handanovic, then we’ll go down based on appearances with Brozovic, D’Ambrosio, Lautaro. The thing that matters most to me is the game.”
He was asked about Inter’s wins over Milan in the cups but losses in the league.
‘It’s the data… As you said, they are clear. Last year there was a two-point difference in the league, this year there are two points, and we did better in the cup games. I don’t expect Milan to be underwhelming, I respect them a lot as a team.”
Inzaghi spoke about Napoli’s 13-point lead and if that changes anything for the Nerazzurri.
“It doesn’t change anything, on the single game. We know there’s this gap, at this moment of the season every point is fundamental for any objective, whether it’s bringing Napoli closer or pulling away from the pursuers.”
He touched on Lukaku’s physical issues this campaign.
“Yes, clearly I talk to Romelu a lot, it’s a new thing for him and I’ve been through it, after 26 I had several problems, he never had so many of these problems, he came back after the injury and now he’s trying to get back to his best. The last few weeks are positive.”
The Italian coach also spoke about the Belgian forward’s struggles on the pitch.
“What Inter are playing for is something that concerns him, I talk to him every day and he is sorry because he hasn’t been able to make the contribution he wanted to make, it wasn’t down to him and now he is working at his best.
“The goal is to get him to the end without any more delays. Then at the top we all know what a player he is.”
He commented on the work of Lautaro Martinez following his World Cup victory.
“In my opinion, he’s been playing like this for a good year now, regardless of whether it’s the World Cup or not. In the last twelve months he has had a constant and high performance, he has deserved it for the way he works.
“The first three months last year he wasn’t in such great shape, but it happens to everyone. Since January last year it’s been a calendar and footballing year, he’s been performing at a great level and let’s hope it continues that way.”
Finally, Inzaghi gave his thoughts on rivals Milan.
“Derbies are special matches. Milan are not in a positive moment, but we are talking about the Italian champions, who made it to the Round of 16 of the Champions League after a long time.
“They have quality and I respect them a lot, we know that we will find them in a particular moment and we come from the Supercoppa final. We will need a lot of running and determination, together with a lot of attention.”
Inter will win easy….4-1!