Simone Inzaghi insists Inter have to ‘take it one game at a time’ against Cremonese and then Atalanta, because he admits they have lacked ‘consistency’ this season.

It kicks off on Saturday at 17.00 GMT and sees the Nerazzurri try to get back on track after their surprise home defeat to Empoli.

That was inevitably affected by the early Milan Skriniar red card and he is therefore suspended for this game along with Nicolò Barella, while Marcelo Brozovic and Samir Handanovic are injured.

“Fortunately, we get the opportunity to play again straight away and I am convinced my team is eager to make up for the match with Empoli,” Inzaghi told Inter TV.

“We score more goals than anyone in the opening 15 minutes and that is important, as the initial approach is fundamental. I always want that kind of characteristic in my teams.”

Napoli are running away at the top of the table with a 12-point lead at the midway stage of the season, but it’s a real battle for the other top four spots.

“Everyone needs to be more consistent. Napoli at this moment are basically playing their own season and then there are five teams in only a couple of points. We need to be more consistent from game to game, because playing so often, we have to concentrate on each individual result.”

Cremonese have turned a corner since sacking coach Massimiliano Alvini, as new boss Davide Ballardini has knocked Napoli out of the Coppa Italia on penalties and picked up a Serie A draw with Bologna.

“Over the course of the campaign, Cremonese have put in some good performances, for example against Milan, Napoli and Juventus. Now the coach has changed, I too worked with Ballardini and I know he always gives a clear identity to his teams.”

There is also a huge Coppa Italia quarter-final coming up against Atalanta on January 31, so Inzaghi has no time to rest.

“We know the fixture list is packed, but we have to take it one game at a time. We hope to get everyone back to full fitness so that we can rotate more and have more players available for every match.”

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