Inzaghi: ‘Loss to Udinese leaves us perplexed, I’m primarily responsible’

Simone Inzaghi was dejected after Inter’s frustrating 3-1 loss to Udinese, suggesting his team need ‘to meditate on this bad defeat’.

The Nerazzurri took an early lead thanks to a slick free kick from Nicolo Barella, but things quickly unravelled at the Dacia Arena in Udine. An own goal from Milan Skriniar in the 22nd minute drew the home side level, and late goals from Jaka Bijol and Tolgay Arslan secured the win for Udinese, helping them secure five consecutive victories.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Inzaghi first explained why he took over Alessandro Bastoni and Henrikh Mkhitaryan after just 30 minutes of action.

“Because they were booked, Udinese won all the second balls, the duels and we were in trouble. I wanted to give a shock. 

“The two of them paid because they were booked, but they should have all paid. Udinese started better and deserved the win, we have to meditate on this bad defeat.”

He touched on the team’s issues maintaining consistency.

“True, we can’t give consistency. We came from two wins, now there’s three away matches in a row where we went ahead and then lost 3-1. 

“The main culprit is me because I am the coach, but it will be cause for analysis. We knew what Udinese could do and we had to do more.”

The Italian coach explored the Nerazzurri’s defensive issues and lack of organisation.

“In the last three away matches we have conceded nine goals, last year we conceded them in a whole round. These are individual and collective errors, we have to be more determined, because second balls against these teams have to be won. 

“And then we’re lucky to go ahead after four minutes, you can’t play a game like that. Even in the second half, we only finished 1-1, we started better, but we conceded nine corners. 

“It’s normal that in the ninth you concede a goal, we have to meditate a lot because this defeat hurts.”

Inzaghi discussed if he still feels the confidence from the dressing room and if there’s any lingering effects from last season.

“Aftershocks no, we had a very very positive season, with two trophies and a Scudetto fought for until the last game. It’s normal that when you’re Inter and you lose three games out of seven you do a lot of thinking. 

“Today’s performance leaves us perplexed, bearing in mind that I am primarily responsible, I must do more and better.”

He reacted to the suggestion that Inter’s midfielders are not doing enough defensive work, which could be contributing to their issues at the back.

“There is a concurrence of faults. Now to stop and look at the midfielders is reductive, when you concede goals it’s the fault of the whole team. 

“There are individual and collective errors, at 1-1 we conceded a penalty that was our fault, on 3-1 we missed the mark. We are Inter and we cannot afford that.”

Finally, Inzaghi spoke about his expectations against Roma and Barcelona after the international break.

“A few certainties. We hope there will be no problems with all the players out with the national team, we will stay and work with four movement players plus two goalkeepers and many Primavera boys. We’ll wait for those who will be out to reflect on what didn’t work.”