Pippo Inzaghi hopes the first win of the season against Lazio can give Salernitana ‘the confidence’ to turn their campaign around, while he has special praise for Antonio Candreva.
They were without a single Serie A victory this season and sacked Paulo Sousa last month to bring in SuperPippo.
This can be the fresh start they need to drag themselves off the foot of the table, especially as it was a fightback from the Ciro Immobile penalty with goals from Grigoris Kastanos and Candreva.
“I hoped that what I saw in training would be replicated in the match situation and that is what happened today,” Inzaghi told DAZN.
“The lack of victories weighed on the shoulders of these lads. I knew we’d have a good game and, even after going behind, we continued to play well to deserve this result. The atmosphere has changed and these three points bode well for the future.
“Nothing has been done yet, but it’s a confidence-booster after a complicated month. The Salernitana fans deserve to see their players give heart and soul on the pitch.”
Sousa was sacked on October 10 after just three points from eight Serie A matches.
Since taking over, Inzaghi has overseen this win, two draws and two defeats in the league.
“When a club changes coach, it means things are not going well, so we had to work on their mentality as well as the tactics. I had hoped to see the win against Sassuolo last time, but when you play with that spirit, it means you are on the right track.
“The team had lost its identity, so we need to rebuild one. This match should give us the confidence to know we can take anyone on.”
Candreva scored the decisive goal with a scorcher, set up in a free kick routine by the Kastanos back-heel flick.
“That was their idea. I had urged them to give it to Bradaric, but fortunately they didn’t listen to me!” joked the coach.
“Before the match, I told Candreva that he would have a great performance, as he seemed a little down. When Candreva plays like this, he’s worth the Nazionale.”
This is a return to Serie A management for Inzaghi, who had not worked in the top flight since his experience at Benevento ended in 2021, followed by Serie B roles at Brescia and Reggina.