On the eve of the championship match against Roma, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi spoke to the microphones of the Nerazzurri club’s thematic channels.
How has the group worked in recent days to maintain high concentration in view of tomorrow’s away match? “The national break shouldn’t affect us, before the break we were coming off three victories, we have to continue our journey. The boys came back quite well, some with some small problems but in the last two or three days we’ve worked well, knowing that we’ll start again with a very difficult match at the Olimpico against Roma”.
Juric’s Roma are known for their intensity and high pressing. What did you focus on in preparing to face such an aggressive team and maintain control of the race? “We know what type of opponent we are going to face. We have met Juric many times in recent years, he is clearly bringing his philosophy to Roma and we must be ready to play an important match, both in possession and not in possession: it will take a great Inter.” Some players have been protagonists in the national team, how much can their mental and physical form influence their return? “We had many players who played a lot of minutes, some like Lautaro and Taremi made long flights but they returned quite well, apart from Zielinski who returned with a small problem and will not be there. Asllani had a slight sprain in his knee yesterday and He won’t be there either but we will bring Berenbruch who is a very promising boy from the Primavera, so we will go without any kind of problem.” The new signings seem to have integrated well into the group. What is the most important aspect that required them to adapt so quickly to the game system and the team’s mentality? “They have integrated well clearly thanks to the help of the boys who were already here. I am very satisfied, some played more, some less but my goal is to try to get them all to play their matches in the best possible way “. Since being at Inter, Thuram has played closer to goal and scored more: has he developed new characteristics or were they qualities he already had and is now making the most of? “He is continuing to work well, as he did last year and as he continues to do this year. His way of playing has not changed, there are some small adjustments that we work on daily together with the staff but the important thing is that continue to work as you have done over the last year and a half.” From now until the next break there is a very busy calendar with important matches in both the Championship and the Champions League. How decisive will these matches be in giving direction to the season and how do you plan to best manage the team’s energies? “We know that we are facing seven games in twenty days, so we will all have to be good but at the moment my only thought and that of the team is to prepare well for tomorrow evening’s match against Roma. We will try to draw on the whole squad knowing that we have guys who try to put me and my staff in difficulty every day with choices.”
