Simone Inzaghi does not underestimate Porto and highlighted what Inter need to find victory in their Champions League Round of 16 tie.
The Nerazzurri have recovered from their sluggish start to the season and looked to be the best of the rest in Italy behind the ever-dominant Napoli.
A key turning point for Inter’s season came in the Champions League, when they fought hard to pick up four points in two group games against Barcelona, allowing them to finish second and move onto the knockout stages.
Speaking in a press conference, Inzaghi first discussed the pitfalls facing Inter ahead of their Round of 16 tie.
“We know how important these Round of 16 matches are. I can think of last year’s two games with Real and Liverpool or those with Bayern and Barcelona this year.
“They are very demanding international matches, in matches of this level we will need our heads. We will have to come out as a team from the difficulties.”
The Inter coach spoke highly about his Porto counterpart Sergio Conceicao.
“Sergio, I see him again with great pleasure, he was a great teammate with whom I shared victories at Lazio. He’s a great coach, he’s doing great things. He plays physical and technical football, Porto are very strong and come from ten wins in a row.
“He has quality players, they have a couple of players in doubt like us or any team but regardless of who is playing Sergio has been great at giving the team great organisation. We are two quite young coaches.
“I met him in Rome a year and a half ago, we said hi and spoke. I see him again with great pleasure. Then for professional choices he’ll decide in the best way. He has been doing very well for a long time.”
He touched on the increased pressure of the Champions League knockout stages.
“These are international matches and clearly a Round of 16 game is different from the group stage because here there is only a first leg and a return leg.
“We know the objective difficulty we will find in the opponent who is used to playing these games.
“When Chelsea won two years ago, Porto won in London. They come from 10 consecutive wins, but they will find an Inter side that is happy and healthy.”
Inzaghi was asked who would start out of Romelu Lukaku, Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez.
“I haven’t chosen yet, there are doubts and every day I have to make choices. I have to try to do the best for the good of Inter.”
He reacted to the suggestion that Inter were favourites for the clash with Porto.
“As far as favourites and predictions are concerned, I’m not very good. They are of absolute value and we respect them a lot. They always or almost always manage to make it to the knockout stages.
“They have a lot of quality as well as being very organised. They have important forwards and a striker who is the best in the Champions League in terms of assists.”
He reflected on the Nerazzurri’s Round of 16 clash with Liverpool last year.
“Even last year the Round of 16 with Liverpool, it was a great training camp. Inter hadn’t reached the round of 16 for many years and there are some regrets, especially in the first leg.
“Certain matches make you grow in all components. We are confident and in good shape.”
Inzaghi spoke about the need for consistent improvement.
“The improvement has to be continuous because the work goes on over time and you have to improve every day.
“The boys have always given me great willingness and we have already taken great satisfaction. I have no doubts, there’s ambition here.”
He commented on the importance of a good mentality.
“Tomorrow’s game we will need, in addition to the heart, the head. That’s where the difference is made.
“There will be difficulties and we will have to overcome them all together. A lot of teamwork is needed.”
Finally, Inzaghi provided an update on the conditions of Lukaku and Marcelo Brozovic.
“Both of them are physically very well. They are recovering. Brozo has been out a lot, now he’s raising his minutes and with Udinese he did 65 minutes in the best way.
“Lukaku has more games in his legs, he is improving and is putting in a lot of effort. Then for both of them the same as before applies.
“Whoever doesn’t start will be fundamental in the match in progress because in these matches 95 minutes matter.”