Inzaghi: "We want to bring more joy to our fans"

On Saturday 17 August at 18:30 CEST, Inter will face Genoa on matchday 1 of the Serie A 2024/25 season. On the eve of the Nerazzurri league opener, Simone Inzaghi spoke in a press conference.

What will Inter have to do to best approach tomorrow’s game? "We are starting a new season, it isn’t a simple opener as it has been difficult there in recent years against a good side with a good coach. We will be playing in a feisty atmosphere and we are getting ready to make our debut in the best way possible”. 

How has the summer been as Champions of Italy, preparing for the season and knowing that you came out on top? "It was a greatly satisfying season, but now it is behind us. We know that we have a huge responsibility to defend the title that we won. We are ready and we know that those who have won in recent years have struggled the following season, so we have prepared for it. The preparations have been good despite various new arrivals, so it wasn’t simple but the lads have done well, they train with a smile, that doesn’t mean training less but better. I see they are motivated and responsible, knowing that we have to start as we had finished”.

What is your assessment of the squad? Do you accept the title of ‘favourites’ like last year? "We know it, whether we won the Scudetto or not, we have always been one of the favourites. I don’t like boxes, all of us coaches want to win as many games and as many titles as possible for our sides and we have the responsibility to defend the title. I see that many squads are making big investments, we have kept the same structure as last year and made some good additions. We have something to finish given Buchanan’s injury but even today, we were here with management and the new president and we spoke about it. I am lucky to work with capable directors who know we need a player there who can give us some depth, as the new arrivals give us”. 

What should we expect from Lautaro in Genoa? "Regarding the line-up, I am still assessing the situation. Lautaro has worked well from when he arrived, so he is in good shape. It’s up to me whether he starts the game or comes on but he is motivated, as always, and wants to get going. It’s a sign that when I gave many players extra days off given last season, the Euros and the Copa America, they came back early with a great sense of responsibility because they knew time was tight”.

What is the goal this year? "Even if it isn’t simple, we will try to repeat last season with all our strength. The aim will be to further improve our commitment and concentration. The lads were perfect with this last year but the sides are constantly evolving and we need to improve on this”.

Do you see any differences compared to last year? How do you start again this year? "Personally, there are big emotions about this debut. There is great pride in starting my fourth season with Inter. We know what we have done previously, thanks also to a very competent board, we went out there and won a lot, well done to everyone. Management has worked with limitations and did well to keep Inter competitive in Italy and in Europe. As far as predictions go, there will be many squads aiming for the Scudetto this year, to win as much as possible, I see a more level league. All the top sides have brought in reinforcements and even middle-of-the-table sides have been very organised with good additions and coaches”. 

What will change in terms of management given the Champions League and Club World Cup games? "The desire is to start very well, the pitch will tell us. Preparations have been very good, there was a drop in intensity for some players but practically everyone is back apart from Zielinski, who we have decided to preserve - but he will be back for the Lecce game - and de Vrij. In terms of preparation, the Champions League changes this year, it’s a good change and begins from the draw, we will have two more group games that could become four, and then from the round of 16, it’s back to the old format. Knowing there is also the Club World Cup, our work has clearly accounted for more games than in previous years”.

Would you rather win another Scudetto or get to the Champions League final without knowing if you’ll win it? "I’ve tried to think of an answer to this and I don’t know what to tell you. We had an amazing time, starting from the turn of the season that took us to Istanbul until the end and winning the league. The tribute from our fans was moving, we have to think of these emotions and work as we have done in these years and bring them more joy. I am proud of what we have done and that we won”. 

Are you sorted in attack? What does Genoa have that makes things complicated for your Inter? "There’s a statistic about Genoa that should be remembered, we know that it’s never an easy ground to go to. We are preparing in the best way. We have assessed things in attack in the market and chosen to remain with the five forwards that we currently have. We know that the market is constantly changing until the end of the month, but we feel well-covered as we are convincing in that department. In this moment, we are lacking a defender on the left and we are trying to resolve it. The market is not simple and just as it is not simple for Inter, it is not simple for the other sides”. 

How important is it to pick up points in the first games? "Everyone wants that, we know that there are various opponents ahead and that not all beginnings can be the same but we have worked to be ready for tomorrow. I am satisfied”.

Could Bisseck start tomorrow? "He is working well, he was already important for us last season. He played many games and proved himself on the pitch. Now he has prepared well just like the others, I can choose between him and Pavard in that position and I will not be sure until tomorrow. But he is someone that we count on and he was important for us last year”.

Is there a chance that you’re keeping five forwards with the risk of some being out for the Champions League? "Without the defender, at the moment everyone would be involved. Getting another defender would help us, probably we will have to make a choice regarding the Champions League squad list in August like last year, obviously, everyone will be involved in the league. The lads know that with five forwards we have some issues with numbers but with such a long season and what I have seen from them, for now, I’d say that all five of them are involved. From now until the end of August, we know that the market is constantly evolving”.