Simone Inzaghi feels Inter dominated Juventus and only ‘extraordinary’ saves kept the result down, but ‘it is only one step in a long journey’ towards the Scudetto.
The Nerazzurri were already top of the table even with a game in hand, which is to be played against Atalanta on February 28, and now go four points clear thanks to this victory.
It took an own goal, the Nicolò Barella cross going past both Benjamin Pavard and Marcus Thuram to bounce off Federico Gatti’s stomach, but Wojciech Szczesny also made two world-class saves to keep the scoreline down.
“We earned a victory, an important and fully deserved win that we wanted with the whole squad,” Inzaghi told DAZN.
“The way we prepared, played and controlled the game, we are very happy. The fans pushed us on from the warm-up to the final whistle and beyond.
“However, it is only one step in a long journey. Juve and Milan will not give up.”
The coach revealed he introduced Davy Klaassen late on for Barella because Davide Frattesi ‘felt a twinge’ in training and could not be risked even for the final minutes.
Although an own goal made the difference, the result rarely seemed to be in doubt.
“Szczesny kept the game open with his incredible saves on Arnautovic and Barella, but I saw my team concentrated, we allowed Juve one counter-attack in 95 minutes. Yann Sommer had a bit of a rest this evening, but we still knew that we had to hold on to the end.
“These lads have been working in exemplary fashion for seven months now, but we have to keep going. It’s only a stepping stone tonight.
“There are still four intense months to go with many games, we have to continue like this. We won 18 out of 22 Serie A matches, but despite that are within reach of Juventus and Milan. Last season, Napoli had a far bigger lead at the top at this stage.
“We have to keep working. Against a Juventus side that defended deep and had great counter-attacking specialists, we only ran a risk once with the McKennie run. We can always do better.”
Inter have won the Supercoppa Italiana and can now prepare for the Champions League knockouts against Atletico Madrid.
“That is the aim. The Champions League is a very important stage for us, we had an extraordinary run last season and know that we already have a very tough opponent in the Round of 16.”
Vittoria meritata per l'Inter secondo Inzaghi ⚫🔵
Ma i giochi non sono ancora fatti 🗣️#InterJuve #SNS #SerieATIM #DAZN pic.twitter.com/cHREodvoCx— DAZN Italia (@DAZN_IT) February 4, 2024