Simone Inzaghi warns there is ‘a very long way to go’ for Inter after the 5-1 thrashing of rivals Milan, noting they are going to need every single player in the squad.
The Nerazzurri ran riot at San Siro with a 5-1 final result thanks to the Henrikh Mkhitaryan brace, Marcus Thuram strike, Hakan Calhanoglu penalty and late Davide Frattesi goal off the bench.
It means Inzaghi has now won five consecutive editions of the Derby della Madonnina between Serie A, the Champions League and Supercoppa Italiana, in which his team scored 12 goals and conceded only one.
“We had a great start and remained concentrated, scoring goals in the right moments, while those who came off the bench had the right attitude. I congratulate the lads on their start to the season, we are happy to have made the Inter fans celebrate, but the tough run of games starts now and we must be ready,” Inzaghi told DAZN.
“I am enormously pleased for our fans, the city, the President. We won four derbies last season, giving us a trophy and the opportunity to play in the Champions League Final in Istanbul. This is just a step in the season and there is a very long way to go.”
Some had questioned Inzaghi’s decision to keep Davide Frattesi on the bench for Mkhitaryan, but that was a strong response from the Armenian today.
“We all know Mkhitaryan, I look only at what my lads give in training. I was a little worried about this match, as the other three we had a full week to prepare, whereas today we had barely 24 hours when they returned from international duty.
“We will play every three days from now on, so need everyone to give their contribution and I thanked those who came off the bench today to give us a big hand.”
Inzaghi is still not fully satisfied, as Rafael Leao scored the first goal that Inter have conceded in Serie A this season.
“To be honest, there weren’t many warnings for Rafael Leao’s goal and we should’ve held the ball a lot better before that.”
Thuram scored for the second game in a row and had seemed unstoppable in the first half against Milan. Did Inzaghi know what kind of a player he was getting?
“Marotta and Ausilio already wanted to sign Thuram in January. I had said that I didn’t know him personally, but Didier Deschamps spoke highly of him. He has great quality, is a good guy who settled in really quickly. Inter had been after him for a long time.”
Inter are now sole Serie A leaders after four rounds and the only side still with a 100 per cent record.
“Last season we won two trophies, reached the Champions League Final, so it gave us more self-belief. Now we must prove we are ready for everything that comes our way.”