Pippo Inzaghi can’t believe Benevento lost 4-1 to Crotone in a game where ‘we had 17 shots to three. It’s not the first time, either.’

It was an unexpected defeat, certainly in the extent of the scoreline, falling 4-1 to the team that was bottom of the table.

Benevento coach Pippo Inzaghi admits his tactical choices against Atalanta were limited by injuries. ‘We shouldn’t have conceded the goal for 2-1.’

Le Streghe have won their last two away games to fly into the top half of the table, but were beaten at home again after a 2-0 to 10-man Milan.

Although Marco Sau scored a temporary equaliser, Atalanta dominated the match this afternoon and eventually ran out 4-1 winners.

Pippo Inzaghi called Gigio Donnarumma ‘the best goalkeeper in Europe’ and admits Benevento rue naïve errors in the defeat to 10-man Milan.

This was a special game for the coach, who spent most of his playing career with the Rossoneri and also started out in management at San Siro.

He had little to celebrate this evening, as despite being up against 10 men for an hour, Le Streghe were still beaten 2-0.

Pippo Inzaghi admits facing Milan will always be ‘special’ for him, but the Benevento coach isn’t fooled by big stars missing for the Rossoneri.

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“This feels a bit like the game against Lazio, when I was up against my brother Simone,” confessed Inzaghi in his press conference.

Pippo Inzaghi saw Benevento’s 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Genoa as ‘a show of maturity’ and a ‘real turning point.’

Le Streghe were already mid-table and this result further consolidated their cushion from the drop zone.

“We mustn’t get big-headed, because we know where we’ve come from and have to keep our feet on the ground,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.

Pippo Inzaghi was more than happy with Benevento holding brother Simone’s Lazio to a 1-1 draw. ‘We talked last night and it was a tricky conversation!’

This was only the second time that the two brothers faced off as coaches on the touchline, after Simone’s Lazio beat Pippo’s Bologna 2-0 in December 2018.

There was an amusing moment during the warm-up, as Benevento and Lazio directors of sport Pasquale Foggia and Igli Tare had a playful wrestle.

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It’s pretty unusual to see opposing directors of sport physically wrestling on the pitch before a game – maybe occasionally after it following a tense series of events – but this is no usual game.

Pippo Inzaghi praised his Benevento players for a 1-1 draw against Juventus. ‘We could have won it if we were a bit smarter on the counter.’

Le Streghe have truly found their form again after five consecutive defeats in all competition, as they beat Fiorentina 1-0 last week and this evening fought back from Alvaro Morata’s opener to hold Juventus 1-1.

Gaetano Letizia hit a splendid volley from a weak Arthur clearance to beat Wojciech Szczesny and snatch a point.

Pippo Inzaghi acknowledges Spezia deserved to beat Benevento 3-0, as ‘we would’ve lost against anyone today.’

Le Streghe were beaten heavily on home turf by Spezia, a side that finished over 20 points behind them in Serie B last season.

“It was not a good performance, all we can do is roll our sleeves up and get back to work,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.

Pippo Inzaghi feels the 5-2 result was ‘harsh’ on Benevento, as they ‘had 10 shots on goals and played on level terms for at least 70 minutes’ with Roma.

Once again, Le Streghe showed they are in Serie A to play, as their only two defeats this season have both been 5-2 scorelines against Inter and Roma.

Gianluca Caprari had even given them the early lead at the Stadio Olimpico and Gianluca Lapadula got them on to 2-2 before a late flurry of goals.