The Nerazzurri coach ahead of the Real Sociedad match: ‘We will need a strong Inter tomorrow. Pavard will return only against Lazio.’
Winning to secure the top spot in the group and avoid a challenging Champions League round of 16. That’s Inter’s goal, as they face Real Sociedad tomorrow in a match that will determine the leadership of Group D. Coach Simone Inzaghi stated, ‘It will be a very difficult match against a quality opponent. Playing at home or away doesn’t change much for them – we’re facing a team of absolute value. We’ll need a strong Inter.’
INZAGHI’S FULL PRESS CONFERENCE
What kind of match do you expect? Is Inter the favorite?
“It will be a very difficult match against a quality opponent. Playing at home or away doesn’t change much for them. We’re facing a team with absolute values. We’ll need a strong Inter.“
A challenging match but Inter has a top coach, as Lautaro mentioned…
“Until now credit goes to everybody, but the journey will be long and full of challenges. It’s pleasing to have had a strong first four months, but football moves quickly. Tomorrow’s test is challenging, but we know what it means to finish first.”
Considering the importance of the match, should we expect a significant rotation?
“I will make some changes, as I always do regardless of the opponent. We have some difficulties in rotations because we have some key players out. This morning we didn’t do much, so I wouldn’t speak of a turnover, but of some changes, as I have always done.”
What would a victory tomorrow add in terms of confidence?
“A lot of confidence, and it would be of great prestige for our club. It would be crucial for theoretically having a softer draw. We know that in the Champions League, all matches are extremely difficult, but we would like to finish first in the group.”
In the Champions League, you have made more changes than in the league so far. Is it because of the goal of winning the title or your trust in rotations?
“Well, it certainly comes from the trust and the players work. Now we talk about a soft group because we and Real Sociedad have been extremely good. Tomorrow’s opponent came from the fourth pot, so this shows that there are no weak teams in the Champions League”
Can Cuadrado start the game?
“Tomorrow, the possession phase will be crucial, as well as the non-possession phase. We will need to be good in both phases; they are a team that presses high, plays hard, and has a lot of technique. Regarding Cuadrado, I am evaluating. I don’t have many choices: between him, Darmian, and Bisseck, two players will be on the field, and one will be on the bench.”
How valuable is it to have someone like Darmian in the squad?
“Very important, Matteo, along with all the others, he is doing very well. In this specific case, he is one of those classic players that coaches want to have in the team. Two days ago against Udinese, he played in five different positions: first on the right, then on the left, and finally, he played as a wingback on the left.”
Does Calhanoglu remind you of anyone? How did the idea of playing him in that role arise?
“On the day there was a significant issue with Eriksen, I called Marotta and Ausilio, and Ausilio told me he had already contacted him. There was a common desire. We had signed him to play as in the middle, but with Brozovic’s injury, I tried him in that position for two training sessions, and he convinced me.”
Pavard ran well with Thuram on the field; is he ready?
“Pavard passed the test on Saturday night at San Siro. I think he can recover for the next game against Lazio. Beyond that, the atmosphere is what you see on the outside: a group of guys who get along well.”
Is Frattesi ready to play from the start?
“Davide is fine; I had doubts before Udinese. In these two and a half days, he has trained very well, and I think he can start tomorrow from the first minute.”
