Inzaghi: "We're ready and raring to go, and want to be challenging again"

CEO Sport Giuseppe Marotta and Head Coach Simone Inzaghi have officially got the Nerazzurri's 2023/24 sporting season underway.

A press conference was held at Inter HQ on the eve of the players' return to training, which will lead them to the opening game of the new league campaign against Monza at San Siro, scheduled to take place on 19 August.

Prior to Simone Inzaghi's press conference, CEO Sport Giuseppe Marotta introduced the new season before giving way to the Nerazzurri Head Coach to answer questions from the media present.

Head Coach Simone Inzaghi's press conference:

Only one month has passed since the end of a very intense season. With what spirit are you going into it with?

"There's a real desire; we ended a long, intense and enthusiastic season, playing 57 games in the process. There were some difficult moments, but the whole Inter environment pulled together in creating what was a season full of satisfaction. We go again with spirit and determination and it will be another intense one, hoping it's full of satisfaction for the fans, who have already snapped up all the season tickets."

Is the Scudetto an objective?

"Inter's DNA is to win. It's a huge target, like it is for every team. We know that here at Inter we must be fighting to get the second star. We will give it our all and know that from tomorrow onwards, that will be our big aim.".

What will be the hardest challenge this year?

"Starting the third year makes me extremely proud, it's been reached thanks to the Club and players, who have helped me along the way. There are always huge challenges to face every year. Our cup runs in the last two years were almost perfect,; we lost against Liverpool and the final in Istanbul. In the league, we finished second and third, and we'll work hard to try and do even better."

How's the transfer market going? Any further news on Lukaku?

"I'm in line with the management; we are working hard. It's normal that it's not an easy market but we are operating in the best way possible. We all know about Thuram, Frattesi, Bisseck, and there's the return of Di Gennaro. We know what Lukaku means and what he did for us in that second part of the season last year. We fought hard to get him back and we'll try hard again, but he is another club's player."

There's the Japan tour soon. How complete would you like the squad to be?

"It would be great to have everyone. This first phase of work is really important, but we know that there'll still be lots of changes. The market is unpredictable and with it being open doesn't help us Head Coaches, but we're used to it."

Has Inter made its final step? Will you be fighting to win the this season's Champions League?

"In the final, there wasn't a lot of distance between us and Manchester City, and we matched them; we went toes to toe with the strongest team in Europe. In the last two years, we have worked hard to try and bridge this gap; we've got better and it will be extremely tough to repeat what we did, but there's a real desire and hope to do so."

What will Brozovi's departure mean?

"I would like to speak generally about all the pads who have left and made history in these years at Inter; they were all outstanding. The decision has been made to rejuvenate the squad and bring the age down, and we wish that the newcomers can do just as well in writing further successful chapters."

Will rotation be used again this season?

"This season, there will only be one midweek game in the league, but we'll have cup games to contend with so we'll need all the players. In the last few months last season, everyone really gave a helping hand. The hope is to have them all available because the best part of the season last year was when everyone was fit and healthy."

It's the first time your contract is in the last year with Inter, how does that feel?

"What rewards me the most is working on the training pitch and that's what's going to happen tomorrow. I'm relaxed about all the rest."

Will Lautaro be captain? Does the money from Saudi Arabia scare you?

"Offers come and defending players is becoming ever more difficult. Regarding the captain, it's right I speak with the whole squad first before commenting."

The fourth game of the season is the derby. How important is it start off strongly in the league campaign?

"It'll be vital to start off well. Last year, we didn't get off to the best of starts. I don't look at the fixture list much because on paper the last two months of the season should have been the most difficult, but we practically won them. This year, the start looks seemingly easier on paper, but every game is difficult in the league."

You're coming off a Champions League final and a great end-of-season run in the league...

"There's a lot of self-esteem; there was also the cup victories and the European final. Also last season we came into the new season off the back of a good run."

What would the squad lose if Onana left?

"Onana will be joining us at the training camp tomorrow. Every squad must sell before buying but I'm certain that we'll be competitive. We realise we have to live within the realms of the market in modern football, but we aim to be competitive. We were also very intelligent and productive in the market last year too."

How does it affect you being nominated by ESPN as one of the top 10 Head Coaches in the World

"It gives me an enormous pleasure. I saw and read about it and hope to gain further positions in the future."

Do you want to put things right?

"I only think about the pitch and the job, and try to work as best as I can to improve and make my Club better. It's what I did at Lazio and now what I'm doing here at Inter. I feel happy at the Club and with the fans; I'm really pleased to be starting my third year here, but I know that I and my staff have earnt it."

Do you believe in Correa?

"Yes, the players I coach are the best in the world for me. You're speaking about a great player, who has yet to reach his full potential, but have great faith in him because we know he has outstanding abilities."

Which team worries you the most?

"I hope that we are up there; we've been on an unbelievable journey and want to keep on competing on the highest fronts. We want to win that second star and we hope to give the fans this massive satisfaction."

If you choose to win the Scudetto or play in the Champions League final next season?

"Even though we didn't win the league title last season, we had an incredible campaign; we had some special nights with our fans. Also in the final against City, it seemed like Inter had won it."

Milinković-Savić will go to play in Saudi Arabia, what are your thoughts on that?

"I don't speak about other people's choices, everyone makes their own decisions. Milinkovic is a great player. He's made a decision; he's still young and has time to come back to Europe."

What qualities do you think this sqaud still needs?

"We know we still have slots to fill, but we're in line with the Club and will have squad size of 20 players plus goalkeepers and some of the younger lads, who will stay with us. We'll need to do well to complete it and improve it."

If Onana leaves, are you looking for a player with the same ability with his feet?

"We've had some great goalkeepers who can use their feet these past two years so it's certainly an important attribute for us."

Do you plan to promote any young players from the Primavera?

"Carboni will be with us in pre-season, after making his debut last season. He played in some tough games and grew a lot from the experience; a year with the men has done him the world of good. So, this seaosn he'll be with us, Zanotti is out on loan, Esposito and others will join us and it'll be up to them to show that they are up to the standard to represent Inter."

Thoughts about Frattesi and Thuram? Can Frattesi and Barella play together?

"Frattesi and Barella can certainly play together, just as they have shown for Italy's National team. Thuram is a serious player with a very strong physical presence; he's had some excellent seasons and is a really valuable player".

Can Gosens still be a big player for Inter?

"He had a good spell in the season last year, but with the market you never know. I retain he's a very good player, though.