Inzaghi: "The challenge is to improve even more"

The 2024/25 season is officially under way. From Inter HQ, President and CEO Sport, Giuseppe Marotta, and head Coach Simone Inzaghi spoke at the press conference.

The Inter boss replied to journalists' questions at Inter HQ:

It’s the start of your fourth season, what will be the biggest challenge? The main challenge will be to improve our daily work and commitment, the lads have done something extraordinary. This year we will have to improve. How do you feel about the renewal? What is the aim this year? I am thrilled, I want to thank the president. I feel at home and appreciated, I want to thank the new ownership. This year, the aim will be to make our fans happy after winning the second star. I went on holiday and met many Inter fans who thanked me, it was really nice. We want to repeat what we did last season. Do you want anything from the transfer window or do you feel like the squad is complete? I think that the Club made its moves in good time and did so very well, we have three great players and now we are evaluating how to make up for Buchanan. I am happy with what we have done, knowing that the coming year will have almost 70 games. We will try to go as far as possible in each competition.

What will Inter have to do differently to be more unpredictable? We need to be more ferocious and stay on our toes, starting in training. It won’t be easy to repeat what we did last year. Everyone is starting again from scratch and will want to win.

The big sides have all changed coaches, but you are heading into your fourth season at Inter. Could that be an advantage? Two excellent coaches have returned in the form of Conte and Fonseca. Our opponents are getting stronger, and we need to ensure that we’re ready. We’re giving the players an extra three days off because it was an intense season. Slowly, everyone will return. It was an intense campaign. Zielinski and Asllani will come back on 18 July, while the Italians will return on 24 July, Arnautovic on 26 July, the Frenchmen and Dutchmen on 3 August, and Lautaro and Carboni on 7-8 August.

How have the Italian players responded to the disappointing Euro campaign? I spoke to them and they’re disappointed. Things didn’t go too well, but we’re in excellent hands. Spalletti is a very good coach, and there were a few injury problems. We have what is needed to do well and, as a National Team, need to get back on our feet soon.

Do you think this is your strongest Inter side? I get asked this question every year. We had a great team last season, but the pitch will do the talking in terms of whether we’ll be stronger this year. We’ll be up against extraordinary sides. What always counts is the lads’ reading of the game and desire out on the field.

Are you thinking of trying something different compared to last season?

We've brought three new faces in so far who we believe in so we are confident. We changed some things also last season despite using the same formation. This year, we start off with the plan, trying something that will be unpredictable.

What are you expecting from the new signings? How do you see, Carboni?

Regarding Carboni, we saw what he did at Monza, he showed what his qualities are and had a good start at the Copa America. He is the future of Inter, while for Zielinski, he has played the most games of anyone in Serie A in the last five seasons. He has excellent qualities. We have followed Taremi for some time, he impressed us when we faced him in the Champions League. He'll settle perfectly into our way of playing. We went for Martinez because he had two excellent seasons with Genoa. He will have Sommer in front of him, who is the first choice, but he is highly motivated and will give us a big hand.

Out of the challengers for the Scudetto, who are looking at the most?

Conte and Fonseca are two excellent coaches; the two sides from Rome are doing really good things, and we mustn't forget Bologna and Atalanta.

In addition to Zhang, many people were also involved in the adventure of winning the second star. Do you have a word for them?

I thank Zhang because he has done so much for this Club. For the five players who have departed, I want to thank them, too, I spoke with them and told them they had given a lot both on and off the pitch.

How will the schedule affect your preparations, considering also the Euros?

It's new for everyone. We'll prepare with a lot of care and attention, and look to make the most of the squad.

Have you had any interest from other Clubs?

I don't deny there hasn't been any interest, but I feel at home here and fulfilled. I'm well, and there's a great connection between the Club, fans and the players.

Are we to believe that transfer dealings are done or could there be some more movement?

Never say never in the transfer market. I have been lucky to have managers who are masters at this job. Dumfries did very well until December, but then in recent months he suffered some physical issues; he did really well at the European Championship though. We will do something, but let's not forget that we also have Carboni.

Will your job as a coach also need to change in the sense that who rotates the best will win?

Certainly, but I think that last year we had periods in which the stand-ins gave us a big helping hand. If I think of an Inter side without Frattesi and Carlos Augusto, then we would have had issues. This year, the new players will have to be like this and I will have to be good at understanding certain moments. Sometimes, we coaches start with ideas and then modify them; it's difficult to plan in football. Each time, it is always the players that take on the challenge and responsibility.

Bastoni played as centre-half for the National Team, is that an extra option for you as well?

He is a top, top player, but fortunately we have De Vrij and Acerbi, so Bastoni will always be placed on the left-hand side.

How hard is it to manage group of such high quality and make everyone happy? I have players who are great men and understand moments. Matches are not all the same. There is a coach who makes choices, but our secret is the great togetherness we have. There were some who were unhappy; however, they always put the work in and rowed in the same boat together.

How motivating is it having the Club's trust?

This is the reason I'm so happy here. The Club is solid and deeply cares about Inter. I've been in charge of 158 games, but I hope there are as just as many more. I know it's not easy to stay at these big teams, but it's my goal.

Is there the chance of bringing in Hermoso or do you prefer a younger profile?

Those circulating are all names that are of interest to Inter, but we are continuously in discussion. We need to see if everyone is willing. I have this desire and it will be satisfied. From today, we are all here and we will try to bring in the right player.

Will Asllani, Bisseck and Frattesi get more playing time?

I hope so because they were vital players for us last season, who did really well. They definitely had fewer minutes than others, but had the right impact when called upon.

As players and staff, what is it like to accept this expansion of the season: should we set a limit?

Modern-day football is going this way: 70 games are many, but we have to adapt to it because it brings in more money and we have to perform well. Playing in July will be tough, but it's new for everyone. We have to just move forward.

Can Carboni be the player who makes a difference in attack?

Arnautovic and Sanchez did what we needed at Inter. With Carboni, we have an extra string to our bow, also from a tactical perspective. Having him in the squad helps us to get better because we know that we came up short in one-versus-one situations.

Do you consider Juventus to be the biggest threat to the title?

Things are changing there; a great head coach, who's had an outstanding journey, has joined them. They will be a threat.