Simone Inzaghi admits Inter ‘didn’t have the right approach’ to their defeat at Sassuolo, but reveals he asked the club to keep his Scudetto-winning squad complete.
In an incredible twist of fate, the only two Serie A defeats suffered by the Champions of Italy this season were both against Sassuolo.
They fell 2-1 at San Siro on September 27 and then 1-0 at the Mapei Stadium this evening, beaten by an Armand Laurienté goal after Denzel Dumfries was caught napping by Josh Doig.
“We started sluggish and didn’t have the right approach to the game,” Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.
“We did better moving the ball around quickly after their goal and probably deserved an equaliser. We tried changing things up, using different systems and more strikers, but we didn’t create enough in the second half. We should’ve done more, it’s a pity we didn’t manage to get something from the game for the fans who were here.”
This is also the first time in 42 consecutive matches that Inter failed to find the back of the net.
“We had scored for 42 matches in a row since Inter-Monza last year, but Sassuolo defended well, clammed up and fought hard, so they deserve the credit. I am sad at the defeat, but Sassuolo sacrificed themselves.”
There was inevitably a bit of a hangover after the Scudetto parade through the city streets last Sunday, culminating in a party at Piazza Duomo.
“This is the Scudetto of joy, a deserved victory that allowed us to crown this three-year process and we got to celebrate the second star with our fans. It’s right to enjoy it, but there are still three games to go and we have to focus. It hurts to lose, and it should hurt.”
The Nerazzurri dominated possession with 75.8 per cent, and saw a Lautaro Martinez goal ruled offside, but made little impact on the Sassuolo brick wall of defence with just one shot on target.
It means Inzaghi’s hopes of at least reaching 100 Serie A points for the season have now evaporated, as the maximum he can achieve now is 98.
In another curiosity, Inter had not lost to a team in the bottom two of Serie A at the start of the matchday since November 2014 against Parma.
Inter have already qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup next summer, so that will inevitably affect Inzaghi’s plans for the next season, which will be effectively a year long, and they need a bigger squad.
“Without doubt it will be a new experience, much like a two-month break for the World Cup was last year. The season will be longer, we have these extra games and will certainly have to expand the squad. I read that the European lists can be longer too, as the Champions League is expanded as well.
“It will be new for all the teams involved in these competitions, but we will be prepared.”
Inzaghi looks forward to next season
Piotr Zielinski and Medhi Taremi have already agreed to join Inter as free agents from Napoli and FC Porto respectively, so what are they looking for next?
“We are talking about it with the club and they deserve credit for working behind the scenes to get these two players. We’ll have to see, you start the summer with certain objectives and then the transfer market is unpredictable,” continued Inzaghi.
“Seeing all the games we need to play and how long the season will be, we do need a bigger squad. Fortunately, we worked on prevention with the fitness staff and had relatively few injuries this season. Rest is very important too, especially for those who return from EURO 2024 and the Copa America.”
Marko Arnautovic and Alexis Sanchez are among those who could be on the way out, but Inzaghi revealed he made a request to CEO Beppe Marotta.
“I already told the club that I want to go into next season with all the players I had this term, not losing a single one. Arnautovic and Sanchez didn’t play as much as the other strikers, but they always stepped up and delivered when needed.
“I have been in football for many years, so I know full well that there are needs and requirements, so things can change, but I told the club that I would like to keep them all,” concluded Inzaghi.