Simone Inzaghi tries to explain the secret of his success, becoming the only man to win five editions of the Supercoppa Italiana and more Finals than any other Inter coach.
This truly has consolidated his status as Mr Supercoppa, as it was his third consecutive trophy for the Nerazzurri.
It was hard-fought, as Lautaro Martinez only snatched the winner from six yards in stoppages, after half an hour of playing against a Napoli side down to 10 men due to Giovanni Simeone’s red card.
“We compliment Napoli for a great performance, they defended very well and fought like lions. Naturally, losing a Final at the 90th is always painful,” Inzaghi told Mediaset.
“I also want to congratulate my players. They played a semi-final and then a Final 60 hours later, which was new for everyone. We paid a price for that in fatigue, but the lads stayed concentrated.
“Sommer made one save, we probably could’ve scored earlier, but we were up against a well-organised opponent.”
Including his time at Lazio, Inzaghi has won five of the last seven editions of the Supercoppa Italiana, more than Marcello Lippi and Fabio Capello on four, setting a new all-time record.
“I am satisfied, but above all for my lads who work so hard and the club that in these three years made sure we never lacked for anything.
“I have a special dedication for our fans, who made a long journey to come here. We wanted to enjoy the moment with them and at the goal all the players including those on the bench ran over to experience it with the fans.”
Inzaghi has also set another record as the Inter coach to have won the most Finals in the club’s history with five, overtaking Helenio Herrera and Roberto Mancini, who both received four.
“There are no secrets really, you need a great team, which I have at Inter and before that with Lazio. I was optimistic, but only to a certain degree, because usually you have a week or more to prepare for a Final and we didn’t have that here.
“I want to praise the players who came off the bench, they were effective in the build-up to the goal. This confirms we will need everyone to give their contribution this season.”
Nicoló Barella received yet another yellow card for dissent this evening and that will carry on to Serie A, so he is suspended against Fiorentina.
“He got it wrong tonight and he realises that. He is working on himself, he is a top player who is well aware this is something he needs to improve. The referee makes the decisions and he has to accept them.
“I think he has improved a lot already from the first two years when I was here, but still has to do better.”
This was also a sad night for Italian football, as news came through minutes before kick-off that Gigi Riva had died at the age of 79.
There was a minute’s silence organised for the start of the second half, though many in the stadium did not seem to realise what was happening.
“It was a bolt from the blue, as sadly we found out in the locker room. I was fortunate enough to meet him, he was a great man, a great player and icon. I send my condolences to his family.”
5 – Simone Inzaghi (5) is the manager with the most trophies won in the finals in Inter's history in all competitions (since 1929/30), overtaking Helenio Herrera and Roberto Mancini (both 4). Olympus.#NapoliInter #SupercoppaItaliana pic.twitter.com/JTpqwg7gVV
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) January 22, 2024
Magnefico
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