Simone Inzaghi didn’t shy away from the fact that the Derby della Madonnina against Milan could be ‘a special day’ for his Inter.
The Nerazzurri have the opportunity to mathematically secure their 20th Scudetto should they take victory over their intercity rivals on Monday evening’s derby at San Siro, something Stefano Pioli’s side are desperate to avoid.
Inzaghi’s Inter have won their last five Derby della Madonnina clashes with Milan, giving them an extra burst of confidence ahead of their decisive clash. His Rossoneri counterpart Pioli already suggested that the match was an ‘opportunity for redemption’ for his side.
Inzaghi on Inter derby with Milan
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Inzaghi first discussed his feelings ahead of the derby.
“The derby is always the derby, so there are excellent emotions. In recent days we have worked hard and well, tomorrow could be a special day for Inter.”
The Inter coach reflected on his team’s impressive work this season.
“I have to be honest, we talked about what we’re doing with the boys. We’ve had a magnificent journey this year, we’ve had a magnificent ride, tomorrow could be a very important day for all of us, but we’re not experiencing it as an obsession.
“We hope it can happen and we are working, but it is not an obsession, we have done what we had to do since July 13th. We had a dominant season, now the climb is about to end but we know what we have done.”
Inzaghi commented on the importance of a Scudetto-derby like this one.
“The stakes are very high, but we know well that we have won the last five derbies and they have given us great joy, they have allowed us to reach the Champions League final, but we know that tomorrow that counts for nothing.
“We will have to put that into play that we have, against a team second in the table that will do everything to make the derby very difficult for us.”
The Inter coach was asked what he’s improved on over the last few years.
“I just have to thank the people who are with me, first of all the players and then move on to my collaborators. They have been with me for many years, they have helped me a lot in this long journey.
“I have a great club behind me, we have a truly strong starting from the president and moving on to Marotta, Ausilio, Baccin, Zanetti, Ferri: all people who love Inter and are ready to give everything to improve, all together we always try to find the best solution.
“And then we have all of these fans, I don’t forget anything, the final in Istanbul was a beautiful moment, but we still lost a Champions League final… At San Siro against Sampdoria…
“The fans have always been close to us, today there are so many of them and then together with the team we will go to say goodbye to them. They deserve it, once they reached the finish line it was done by all working together, from the players to everyone else.”
Inzaghi was asked what makes him happiest about this Nerazzurri side.
“Victories and trophies in football count a lot. But I am happy with what we have managed to create, as a synergy, together with the club, the team, the fans.
“I have lived in Milan for 3 years, after 22 years in Rome I came and in three months the people I met complimented me on how the team played. It’s the best compliment possible.”
He reflected on his personal journey with Inter.
“They have been three intense years, as mentioned before we have won and lost but with my staff, we have not given up an inch. We have always worked hard, the only thing I can do is always work hard and in any case, together to my staff.
“Then I was lucky enough to spend these three years with great players, when we reach the finish line, I hope as soon as possible, I will think of all the players I coached. Then we lost some, but they all contributed to getting to this point.”
Inzaghi spoke about Steven Zhang’s support and his ambitions for the future.
“I listened to Zhang’s words, they made me very happy, but they didn’t surprise me. There is a great relationship with Steven, I can only thank him for the way he has always behaved with me, even in the less splendid moments.
“I am happy for that he is one of the most successful presidents in the history of Inter. As regards permanence or renewal, we now have a single thought that is close, there will be time and way knowing that I am very happy here. I have a very competent management behind me.”
He was asked if this title would be the start of a new cycle or a repeat of Napoli’s situation.
“It is a cycle that must continue, it is normal that if this trophy arrives, and if it arrives soon, it would be the sixth in three years, the seventh in seven.
“It must continue, then we know that in football the seasons are always different, but we have a management behind us that he is moving so that we can continue, knowing that the team and I are thinking about this season and not 2024 or 2025.”
Inzaghi weighed in on the pressure on Pioli.
“I can say that for me he is a great coach and an excellent person, I dealt with him when he was at Lazio, he always gave me great availability. He had an excellent journey at Milan, then what could his future be I can’t say that. I wish him the best from Tuesday.”
He spoke about the condition of Lautaro Martinez.
“Good, he worked well. He’s a striker who feeds on goals, but as I said before he’s focused, there were stops and breaks, his disqualification, regardless of the last goal on February 28th he didn’t play much. I saw him concentrated.”
Inzaghi discussed if this Inter experience was like a gift.
“Absolutely yes, it was an important journey. Then, like all journeys, there are difficulties, but we worked well, and we all went in the same direction.
“We must continue, beyond these three years to remember, now these are missing last six games to do in the best possible way, knowing that we are close to the finish line.”
He was asked if Tajon Buchanan would be able to feature more.
“Certainly, all the players… Everyone will be there tomorrow, except Cuadrado who had some fatigue, but I think he will already be in the group on Tuesday since it’s nothing serious and I’m sorry because he was working very well.
“For the others, from here to the end, they will have to be good at finding space, but everyone would be very ready to play. Then unfortunately I can only choose 11.”
Inzaghi commented on what he could title a book about his Inter story.
“You are better at this. It’s difficult for me to think about a title now, but I’m happy with how we lived these three years together with everyone. It was beautiful, it was a great union. You can feel the happiness of the fans, even in city, it’s nice to hear how happy the Inter fans are.”
The Inter coach spoke about any squad doubts.
“There are some doubts, because the boys all worked very well. There will be 24 of us including the goalkeepers, I will bring some doubts with me.”
He touched on the importance of having some fans in the squad.
“Very important. Because we have many Italian players, who have been with Inter for many years, who feel the game very much, but despite this we also have many foreigners who have been in Italy for years.
“One is captain, and they know what it means to represent Inter. Let’s not forget that the 12 new signings have settled in very well thanks to these ‘old guys’.”
Finally, Inzaghi discussed when he realised Inter could win the Scudetto.
“There was hope when we started here, when we worked at 38-40 degrees in Japan and the boys worked in the right way despite not the best climate.
“Then the journey was long, we had many difficult matches, remembering just one is complicated for me. It’s normal that the direct clash with Juventus was important for us.”