The coach, in the press conference, cautioned his team about the strength of Real Sociedad: “A tough team. It won’t be easy even though we’re coming off a derby win.”
In the press conference on the eve of the match against Real Sociedad, Simone Inzaghi demonstrated his clear ideas. At Anoeta, the stadium where Inter will make its debut in the 2023-24 Champions League, the Nerazzurri coach praised Aslani, who is likely to start in place of the injured Calhanoglu, but he didn’t want to reveal his plans for Pavard and Frattesi.
Inzaghi said, “We want to relieve the Champions League nights we had last season. We know the path we’ve taken, and we need to try repeat last year’s results. With Calhanoglu out, do I have confidence in Asllani? Absolutely yes.”
Inzaghi, Guardiola has placed Inter among the favorites in the Champions League, and you just won the derby 5-1. Are there risks of overconfidence?
“Guardiola’s words are pleasing. We know how it went in Istanbul; it was a great honor to play in the final against Manchester City. One incident could have changed the outcome of the match. We have great memories of that night, and it was an honor to go through that journey. Now, we start again against a strong team like Real Sociedad in a passionate stadium. It will be difficult to repeat last year, but we want to give it another try.”
Calhanoglu won’t be available.
“No, and it will be a significant absence. We know what Calhanoglu represents for us. Cuadrado will also be missing. With so many games close together, we have to make some decisions. Asllani will take Calhanoglu’s role, and he’s an important player for us. Many clubs wanted him, but we decided to keep him, we believe in him.”
After winning a derby 5-1, what does a coach do with his players?
“We reviewed the match, the things we did well, which were many, and where we could have done better. We know it was a fantastic night for all of us, for the team, the club, our fans, but it’s in the past, and now, Real Sociedad is what matters. It will be an intense match in their stadium, a very tough test for us.”
It seems like the Istanbul final left something special with you. Inter seems more mature and aware of recognizing the moments of the game.
“Yes, the final left something special, and so did the journey we’ve had in the last two years in the Champions League. Now, we’ve won the first four league matches, which is true, but the most difficult part is yet to come. The players know that we can achieve beautiful things if we put ‘us’ ahead of ‘me’.”
Real Sociedad?
“It’s a very organized team; the coach has been here for many years. We saw them last year against Roma; we have a lot of respect; we’ll face opponents of great quality and need to be cautious.”
Will Frattesi and Pavard start?
“My players don’t know these things yet, and it doesn’t seem right to communicate them here before I do with them. I have the lineup in mind, but I’ll tell the team tomorrow. There will be some changes, that for sure.”
