Simone Inzaghi expected a ‘challenging friendly’ against Lugano, said Inter are gradually ‘inserting the returning players’ and looks forward to ‘celebrate the start of the championship with our fans’.
Inter’s new coach started with a win on penalties over Lugano in the Lugano Region Cup, when Danilo D’Ambrosio and Martin Satriano scored the goals in a 2-2 draw, before Ionut Radu saved two penalties in the shootout to secure a win in Inzaghi’s first game with the Nerazzurri.
“I knew it would be a challenging friendly,” Inzaghi told InterTV. “The guys were very serious, we went behind by two goals but stayed in the game, we had an excellent reaction knowing that we had limited rotations.
“I’m very satisfied. We tried to win until the end, I’m happy with the reaction and the commitment, with many players on the pitch already for 90 minutes.
“Slowly we will insert the returning players, with [Stefan] de Vrij and [Marcelo] Brozovic the next ones we are waiting for.
“We are working with the club in the best possible way and on August 22 we will be in the best possible condition.
“That day, it would be wonderful to celebrate the start of the championship with our fans welcoming the champions of Italy after such a difficult period.
“Their affection, as shown tonight, is very important. The Primavera are giving us a great hand and great availability, I knew that I have boys who are ready, because the Nerazzurri youth sector is great.
“They have to continue like this, they will have to help us until late August.”