Inzaghi unveils two Inter starters but won’t comment on ultras’ arrests

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi revealed that Piotr Zielinski and Denzel Dumfries would start in tomorrow’s Champions League match against Crvena Zvezda, but refused to answer a question about the arrests of several Nerazzurri ultras.

Inter will make their home match in the 2024/25 Champions League tomorrow, featuring Serbian league leaders Crvena Zvezda.

The Nerazzurri secured a 3-2 victory over Udinese on Saturday, but they look much more vulnerable than last season, having already scored seven Serie A goals in six games.

“It’s hard to win, but winning again is even harder,” Inzaghi said at a press conference on Monday.

“The boys are working very well; we lack the consistency we had last season, so we have to train for it. All teams have had problems. There have been six different table leaders in six matches. Everyone is trying to improve, just like us.

“The boys delivered an excellent performance on Saturday. We analyzed the goals we conceded this morning because we must always try to improve ourselves. But we have to talk about the whole team, not just the defenders. We are working on it and I am confident.”

What does he think of the two goals conceded against Udinese last weekend?

“On the first goal, Thuram ran forward and the whole team should have followed him,” the coach said.

“There shouldn’t have been a cross and we should have been in a better position. There were several errors with the second goal. I’ve read about Bisseck, Darmian, Acerbi and De Vrij, but you can’t say that only one player was to blame. They all made a mistake. All Inter players made a mistake. Everyone needs to improve and this is what we analyzed.

“Focus is a key element. We have our principles, but there are times when the team needs to be more united. We need to be more consistent and give in as little as possible.”

Inter held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in their 2024/25 Champions League debut two weeks ago. What is the biggest difference between the old and the new format?

“After two games you could try to predict how the group stage would go,” said Inzaghi.

“This format is more exciting and difficult. The schedule is not easy, but we have to focus on one game at a time.

“We have always far exceeded the group, but this season it is more difficult to make calculations. We have to pay close attention tomorrow as we face a well-coached team with great players. It will be a difficult match.”

Nicolò Barella is injured, while Joaquin Correa and Tomas Palacios are not on Inter’s Champions League list. Inzaghi confirmed he would rotate tomorrow and even revealed two starters.

“I have to decide on the attackers. They all have good chances to be involved, but I still have to choose how. I need all the players, especially now that there are so many games. Zielinski will definitely start; I then choose the other two (central midfielders).”

Denzel Dumfries will also start after agreeing to a contract extension.

“I don’t think it has been announced yet, but I am happy with the news,” Inzaghi argued.

“Denzel is an important player and I can say he will start tomorrow, just like Zielinski.”

Finally, Inzaghi did not answer a question about a group of leading Inter and Milan ultras arrested this morning for alleged links to the mafia and other crimes.

“The club said there is an ongoing investigation and has asked not to comment on what happened,” he concluded.