Inzaghi: "We can still improve; a great Inter display needed"

APPIANO GENTILE – Now the international break is done, Inter are fully focused on the game against Torino on Serie A matchday 9. Simone Inzaghi spoke to Inter TV today ahead of tomorrow's match.

Games after the break are often more difficult and require maximum attention. Torino are a good side too, tough to face with good players and an aggressive brand of football. What do you think is decisive in a match like this? "Preparing for the first game back from a break is never easy. Most of the players got back on Wednesday, the South Americans yesterday. We know that Torino are a good team with a coach in his third year with them. We'll need a great Inter performance tomorrow."

Much of Torino's attacking threat comes from out wide, where they have lots of different options. If you could just one area of the pitch to focus on, would it be the wings? "The wide areas will be important but both sides have good wingers and utilise the wide men a lot. But both teams are also strong in midfield. The game won't just be played on the wings but it will be an intense battle in midfield as well.

Inter create a lot: 21 goals scored in eight games and eight different goalscorers. It's a trend that began last season and this stat confirms the strength of the squad. "Yes, we're scoring a lot through various different players but we know we can still improve. We're trying to train as best we can; we also want more goals from our defenders, who get chances, from our midfielders, our wingers and, of course, the strikers."

There's a clear drive to play attacking football but Inter are still solid defensively, which is often overlooked due to our numbers in attack. How much work has been done on defensive organisation in order to achieve this level of balance? "We're working hard on defensive organisation. We know that we're doing well but we still need to improve. In the last game, we conceded two avoidable goals. We need to get better each day and keep working like this, with the whole team getting involved when we don't have the ball."

Captain Lautaro Martinez is getting better and better and is having a brilliant 2023. Do you think having the armband has helped as he now has more responsibility? "Lautaro is a player with a huge sense of belonging. He's improved a lot in the last couple of years and, of course, the armband has given him more responsibility. He also has top teammates who always try to set him up."

Torino sees the start of a tough run in Serie A and the Champions League, with games every three days. What factors do you think could make the difference in this period? "We know that we have a run of important and difficult games. The boys know that I will need them all; we'll need to be focused and hungry."