Inzaghi: "Verona healthy: we will need speed, aggressiveness and determination"

APPIANO GENTILE - On Saturday 14 January at 20:45 CET, Inter take on Hellas Verona at San Siro for Serie A TIM Matchday 18. These are Simone Inzaghi's comments on the night before the match against the Gialloblu:

After qualifying for the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, the league returns. Hellas come from two good results in a row, which have restored confidence in the team. How do Inter come into the game? "We arrive after a tough game against Parma, but we are happy to have passed the round. We find an opponent who returned after the break in excellent condition: they have played two important games, but even before the break Verona had already shown they were healthy, including against Juventus and AC Milan"

Playing every three days, squad rotation is inevitable. How important is it for everyone to make their contribution both as starters and coming on as a sub? "Very important: right now we have some absentees, but at this point of the season with such close matches and with the five substitutions I need the whole squad".

Hellas play three at the back and exploit through their wide players. What will be the tactical key to the match? "It will be an intense match, we know that many teams both in Italy and in Europe play with a three-man defence. Hellas is an opponent that we have already faced over the years: speed, aggression and determination will be fundamental".

What is the aspect you would most like to see improved, for Verona and the Supercoppa, compared to the first outings in 2023? "In these matches I have seen the team very focused and motivated. We know what our path has been in the three matches, but we must always try to improve, because playing every three days there are always difficulties."

Last year Inter did not always go at a steady pace, but there were long periods when they played with confidence and conviction, stringing one victory after another. It also took advantage of two 'clicks': Napoli in the away leg and Juventus at home. Why has it been almost always up and down this year? Has there been a lack of mental resilience and has there never been a real click that has brought about a turnaround? 'Looking at the results since the defeat against Roma on 1 October we have played nine league games and won seven, then we lost to Juventus and drew with Monza. We have to look at us: in the last three months we have had a consistent performance, but we know and I know that we all have to improve by trying to eliminate mistakes that sometimes influence the matches".

How difficult is it not to think about the Supercoppa? Can the choices against Verona be influenced by Wednesday's game in Riyadh? "We know what awaits us in Riyadh in the Supercoppa against AC Milan: we know the importance of that match for us, for the club and for the fans, but tomorrow we play Verona. We'll field the best possible team: we have some aches and pains that we're monitoring every day, but tomorrow we'll field a super competitive team."