Simone Inzaghi reassures Inter that they are ‘close to the finish line’ for the Scudetto even after a 2-2 draw with Cagliari, but he will not get a tattoo for the title.
The Nerazzurri thought it was all going their way this weekend, with Milan held 3-3 by Sassuolo, meaning a win here would put them 16 points clear at the top of the table.
Instead, Cagliari fought back twice from Marcus Thuram’s goal and a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty, with Eldor Shomurodov and Nicolas Viola clawing a 2-2 draw at San Siro.
“I usually don’t speak to the lads after a final whistle, but we knew Cagliari were in good shape, they never gave in and their counter-attacks caused problems for us,” Inzaghi told DAZN.
“We were twice in front, it’s disappointing, as we wanted a victory in front of our fans. We know that we are very close to a big objective, but are still missing those points that can make it mathematically certain.
“We should’ve worked better as a unit and close the spaces on the first goal, while the second was a ricochet, then we almost conceded on a counter-attack in stoppages from our own corner.
“We usually work better on opposition counter-attacks, but Cagliari deserve credit for the movement of their forwards to come back and then run into space.”
That means Inter must beat Milan on Monday April 22 to secure their 20th Serie A title, but also that the record of 102 Serie A points is no longer possible for this team. What disappoints Inzaghi the most about this result?
“What disappoints us that we didn’t win. We always want to achieve the maximum for these fans. We know what our path is, there is no point denying we are close to the finish line, but there are six games to go and we need to keep focused.”
It goes without saying that winning Inter’s 20th Serie A title in a head-to-head with Milan would be the ultimate way to celebrate.
“Clearly, it would be pleasing. We will prepare a huge derby on Monday and try to play in the best possible way. If we go through the finish line on Monday, that’s better, if not then we keep going and there are more games after that.
“We know what awaits us, Milan are second in the table and will want to do their best in front of their fans.”
How will Inzaghi help gear Inter up for this match, as Milan are distracted by the Europa League quarter-final, whereas the Nerazzurri can only focus on this appointment.
“We prepare the way we always do, analysing the most recent performance and working in training, trying to get all 22 players available. Tonight we were only missing two suspended players, so hopefully next week we will be able to make choices.
“Everyone knows what the derby represents, we will respect Milan the way we always have done. Last season we had a Champions League semi-final derby, at Lazio I had a Coppa Italia semi-final derby.
“I’ve played many derbies, I won a lot of them and sadly lost a few too.”
Stefano Pioli and Luciano Spalletti got tattoos on their arms to mark their first Serie A titles as coaches. Is Inzaghi going to do the same or something else?
“I don’t like tattoos. We’ll see.”