Inzaghi: "It's our first objective of the season: we're focused on the semis"

Inter vs. Lazio is drawing ever nearer. On the eve of the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final showdown, which will kick off at 20:00 CET in Riyadh on Friday, Simone Inzaghi presented the clash alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

On Wednesday afternoon, Inter trained for the first time in Saudi Arabia since their arrival in the country. Following today's press conference, the team will hold another session in the afternoon. On Friday, meanwhile, the Nerazzurri will take on Lazio with the aim of making the final, where, should they progress, they'd take on the winners of Napoli vs. Fiorentina.

How are Inter doing heading into this competition? "The Supercoppa is our first objective of the season. We've won it in the past two years and want to do so again. The other sides involved will want to do the same." Are you also thinking about the transfer market? "I'm very happy with the four strikers we have in our squad; they've done well for us in the first part of the season. The Club always works well, and I'm not thinking about the transfer market."

Should you win, you would play two matches in quick succession. How are you approaching this tournament? "We still have one and a half training sessions ahead of us today and tomorrow morning. We faced Monza on Saturday and then trained in Milano. We'll need to assess things, but the group is complete with the exception of Cuadrado. We'll have to choose carefully, but our focus is on the match against Lazio."

You're the favourites to win the competition, and you're also the favourites to win the league: how are you handling this pressure? "When you're at Inter, you need to get used to it. I experience things in a very calm manner. It's the first trophy up for grabs this season, and we want to win it. We know we'll be coming up against a side who are unbeaten in five matches. They won the derby and have always caused us problems." Do you think that the discourse is becoming fiercer? "I've heard and read a few things, but I think such discourse is normal in the world of football. I've been involved in the game for many years and know how it works. The battle in the league is great, but Inter and Juventus aren't the only ones involved; there's also AC Milan, who have an excellent squad and are doing well right now. There are three teams involved."

Will the fact you'll have a match to make up be a problem? "It's something we'll consider, but we'll take things game by game. I've experienced it a lot in my career, including during my Lazio days. We know it's something that can happen."

How did you react to the FIFA The Best voting? "Lukaku voted for three fantastic coaches; disputing his votes is pointless. I wasn't alone in London; I was there together with my staff, my directors, my president, as well as my lads, who gave me the opportunity to be there. I'm very happy to have been named in the top three."

Does power wear out those who don't have it? "You have to look at how the teams are doing. The only game I'd want to redo is the match against Bologna; we deserved more from that one."

How have Inter and Lazio changed recently? "It's never been an ordinary match for me; Lazio are the team that made me a man. They caused us problems in December and have put a lot of wins together recently. The format of the competition is different this time around: we need to focus on the semi-finals, and we're also preparing for a possible penalty shootout."

Do your thoughts constantly return to the league? "We're focused on the Supercoppa. We're doing really well in the league and have picked up 51 points out of a possible 60. Juventus and AC Milan are doing just as well."

Do you have a message for the Inter fans in Saudi Arabia? "Give us your support, just like you did last year. We know that there are a lot of you, and we hope we can make you happy like we did when we won it last season."