Simone Inzaghi admits Inter should not have left it to the last second to beat Lecce, but also warns he is ‘not amused’ by headlines showing ‘other clubs buying and our players are on the way out.’
The Nerazzurri had taken the lead within 82 seconds thanks to Romelu Lukaku, but it was cancelled out by Assan Ceesay’s angled drive.
Deep into stoppages, after a series of stunning Wladimiro Falcone saves, Denzel Dumfries bundled over the line following a chaotic corner to give Inter victory with the last kick of the game.
It means Inter have now won their last four season openers in a row, their best run since five between 1993 and 1997.
“It’s a victory we wanted with our hearts. The team believed to the last moment and that is frankly the only positive, because a team like ours that scored in the first minute and dominated for 30 minutes should do better,” Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.
“There was a potential red card incident on Lautaro and we got annoyed after that and lost our way. We should work out why we had to resort to scoring at the last second.
“I have various options off the bench and they did their duty. We finished the game with all four strikers on the field, it was a 4-2-4 formation by then, tried to just pump it into the box and kept believing.
“Of course, a team like ours ought to get it done before then.”
Dumfries came off the bench to seal victory, but can he play in the same XI as Robin Gosens?
“Until this morning, I had the doubt. Darmian did incredible work over the last 40 days, Denzel came later due to international duty and I thought he might be better off the bench. Robin did well in the first half, lost intensity as the game wore on and we must try to get him back to full fitness.”
Milan Skriniar has spent the entire summer at the centre of the transfer market with PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City and others all showing interest.
“The club knows the characteristics I want, we are working on it. We are in a situation where others are buying, but Inter are the favourites and have to keep a tight grip on our players. We are fighting to win trophies, so when I see in the papers every day that others are buying and our players are on the way out, it’s not amusing to me at all.
“This is the squad. We need a centre-back to replace Ranocchia, the club is working on it, as we are in three tournaments and only have De Vrij and a youth team player as alternatives in that role.”
And so the excuses begin…