Simone Inzaghi wants Lazio to keep in mind what happened last time they faced Inter as the pair go head-to-head, but doesn’t regret trusting Stefan de Vrij.
It kicks off at 19.30 GMT on Monday, click here for a match preview.
“It’s a very important game for us, we know what happened on May 20,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Simone Inzaghi wants Lazio to keep in mind what happened last time they faced Inter as the pair go head-to-head, but doesn’t regret trusting Stefan de Vrij.
It kicks off at 19.30 GMT on Monday, click here for a match preview.
“It’s a very important game for us, we know what happened on May 20,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
That final game of the season was a head-to-head for Champions League qualification and Inter fought back to win it 3-2 at the Olimpico.
“We’ll keep that all in mind. We dominated that match for 75 minutes, then in the final 15 we lost the game and Champions League spot. We’ve got to prepare for this and keep in mind what happened last time.
“I wouldn’t say we’re out for revenge, but there is a certain attention on this game. We know Inter were put together to win the Scudetto, whereas we’ve shown over the years that even without the same budget or resources, we can fight it out on a level playing field with anyone.”
Lazio were in action on Thursday in the Europa League with a 3-1 victory away to Olympique Marseille.
“Marseille are comparable to the top teams in Serie A and were built to win Ligue 1, yet we could’ve scored more than three goals. That result improved our self-confidence and we can do even better.”
Felipe Caicedo started alongside Ciro Immobile at the Stade Velodrome, so with Luis Alberto carrying an injury, this could be the partnership again.
“We’ll have to evaluate how everyone is doing. I can say Lucas Leiva won’t be taking part, while I have to evaluate Milan Badelj’s condition too.
“We know that we have to do better and last season, not just because of our mistakes, we missed out on the target. We want to finish in the top four.
“Mauro Icardi is, along with Immobile and Edin Dzeko, among the best strikers in Serie A, of course without forgetting Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo. Every team has a great centre-forward leading the way and now Icardi is helping out in midfield more too.
“Inter are a very physical side who are dangerous on set plays and that’s the area that caused us the most problems last time.”
Stefan de Vrij started that match on May 20 despite knowing he had already signed for Inter as a free agent for the next season. Inzaghi was asked if he’d make that same decision again.
“I would, certainly. I think De Vrij gave 100 per cent for Lazio. He just gave away a penalty that could’ve happened on any given Sunday. Unfortunately, it happened in the final game.
“De Vrij is a good lad and I’m very happy to see him again, just as with Keita Balde Diao and Antonio Candreva.”