Inzaghi: "An ideal path so far: we want to double down"

APPIANO GENTILE - After the win at San Siro over Hellas Verona, Inter is preparing to be back out on the pitch for the first game of the second half of the Serie A season. The Nerazzurri will face Monza at the U-Power Stadium on Saturday 13 January at 20:45 CET: on the eve of the game against the Brianza side, Inter Head Coach, Simone Inzaghi, spoke exclusively to Inter TV:

You ended the first half of the season on 48 points. Is the aim to bag another 48 in the next half? "We know that we have had an ideal start: the squad is ambitious and we know it won't be simple, but we want to double down with another ideal half to the season". Being back to winning ways against Frosinone has fired you up for Monza. What kind of game do you expect? "It will be a difficult game against a good side that has a great coach and some players that were important with Inter: it will be nice to see D'Ambrosio, Gagliardini, and Valentin Carboni again. We need to put in a good performance: Monza is an opponent of quality". At the end of the game against Verona you changes tactical set-up: do you think this is something that could be used in this game or could there be some changes based on future needs? "I changed things in the last quarter of an hour against Verona, with three forwards on the pitch. I decided to use this option at the time but tomorrow could also see a different solution". Of 19 games, Inter went ahead first 18 times: you have also scored 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of play. What do these numbers say about attitude? "It means that the squad worked well in all 19 games and has impacted them in the best way possible, believing right until the end. The data and good approach are a testament to this, like in the dying minutes of a match". Speaking of statistics, there's another record: 9 goals conceded in 19 games. Considering that Inter has often had to change things up in defence, does this number show that staying solid is a group matter? "Absolutely, the squad works well and as a group, all together. Above all, we changed certain defensive assets because of injury, but the principles haven't changed with the players: we have defended well so far this season". Will Dimarco and Buchanan also be available tomorrow? "Yes, we haven't trained yet today but Federico is much better. He has recovered and we saw him at the end of the Verona match. TJ has come in in the best way: he is a young player of great quality, with some experience already. It will take some time for him to integrate but he underwent three big training sessions this week".