Simone Inzaghi explains how Inter have developed since the Antonio Conte era, revealing the players ‘asked’ to press higher, as they crushed Cagliari 4-0 to go top of the table.
The Nerazzurri ran riot against sorry Cagliari, who had come from four consecutive stalemates, with a Lautaro Martinez brace, Alexis Sanchez volley and Hakan Calhanoglu screamer.
It could easily have been more, as Alessio Cragno saved a Lautaro Martinez penalty as well as several massive chances, Inter getting 15 shots on target.
Serie A | Inter 4-0 Cagliari: Nerazzurri new leaders in style
“The lads did really well. I had asked for concentration and focus, as I saw this weekend so many big clubs struggle after European games,” Inzaghi told DAZN.
“I knew Cagliari would be organised and we needed the right approach. I congratulated them at half-time for their attitude, as although it was only 1-0, they had the right performance and we just needed to convert more of those chances.
“Whenever I rotate the squad, I get a strong response from whoever steps in. Alexis Sanchez is getting better every day, Correa was doing well until the injury, so everyone delivers when called upon.”
With Milan drawing at Udinese and Napoli losing to Empoli, this sends Inter one point clear at the top of the table. Inzaghi was asked where his team can still improve.
“We are top of the table, we reached the Champions League Round of 16 after 11 years, so it’s hard to do better. I knew we were playing well from the very start, that was 23 games ago, but there’s a long road ahead. We’ve done well to put together a run of positive results.
“Now that we are top, naturally we want to stay there. However, we were seven or eight points off the top just a month ago, so we know it’s a tricky and very open season.
“Our aim for Christmas was to reach the Champions League Round of 16, because Inter deserved to be there after 11 years, and we did it with a game in hand. Now we can focus on Serie A for the next few weeks.”
Lautaro Martinez saw his penalty saved, so Inzaghi was asked where the Argentina international can do better.
“He just has to keep working like this. He scored in each of his last four games, he only missed Roma because he wasn’t at 100 per cent. I am very satisfied with him and the whole team. Lautaro is our penalty taker, I can say as someone who missed a few myself, only those who are afraid to take penalties will never make a mistake.”
Inter were more defend and counter under Antonio Conte, whereas Inzaghi has brought more possession, creativity and attack-minded football to this squad.
“We lifted the press a little bit, the players I had at my disposal asked for that too. We have found a good balance lately, we occupy the spaces and at times have both a centre-back and wing-back pushing forward to attack.
“When I accepted Inter, I just thought Hakimi would be leaving. We then lost Eriksen and Lukaku, so I had to change things, but I have an excellent club behind me, we worked hard to find players functional to the project.
“I have players who know I must make decisions and it’s not easy to leave some great talents out, but they have all collaborated so generously with me and my staff.”
When Inzaggi took over, I was hoping anyone but hakimi leaving would have been ideal, but what he has achieved is consistency and playing beautifully to add. If club can make a push for the next couple years in terms of being competitive in Europe the financial issues should pass and hopefully the team isn’t dismantled this should be achievable.
His media comments have been consistently excellent. He has so far exceeded my expectations. He gets some substitutions wrong and can interrupt the flow to Inter‘s detriment (has happened a couple times), but his team management (including personalities) has been fantastic, his tactics strong, and the performance – results and style of play – excellent. Well done so far.
I have to admit as a Juventus fan he is a very good coach. He has not dismantled what was given to him. He has tweaked the squad and they are playing much more aggressively. There is a clear plan to everything they are doing on the pitch. Bastoni has been a rock once again and the signing of Dzeko has paid off.