Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi admits that he’s keeping one eye on the Champions League table and the round of sixteen.
The Nerazzurri coach spoke in a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s match against Bayer Leverkusen, via FCInterNews. He suggested that a points total of 17-18 could get Inter straight into the knockouts.
At the moment, Inter are on thirteen points in the Champions League.
Other than high-flying Liverpool, who’ve collected fifteen points from fifteen, the Nerazzurri have more points than anyone in the competition.
Inter drew away to Manchester City in their opener. Then they beat all of Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys, Arsenal, and RB Leipzig.
There is a sense that the Nerazzurri have put one foot in the round of sixteen already.
But there is still work for Inter to do. Starting with tomorrow’s match against Bayer Leverkusen.
The German champions will be formidable opposition for Inter.
Then, the Nerazzurri face the likes of Sparta Prague and Monaco in January.
There are nine points on offer in these three matches. And even if Inter do not take all of them, they could still book their place directly in the round of sixteen.
Inter Coach Inzaghi Admits He’s Keeping One Eye On Champions League Table
“We’ve had a great campaign so far,” Inzaghi said of Inter’s Champions League exploits so far.
“We know that we could qualify with seventeen points,” he went on. “Definitely with eight.”
“There are three matches left to go. We should try to do our best tomorrow, keeping in mind that we’re playing against one of the strongest teams in Europe who have only lost three matches in the last sixteen months.”
“They won the Bundesliga and the German Cup. They only lost the Europa League.”
“We know we’re facing a very strong team,” Inzaghi said. “But we’ve prepared for it over the last three and a half days.”
Meanwhile, Inzaghi was asked if Inter are taking any inspiration from Atalanta’s win over Leverkusen. La Dea thrashed Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final last season.
“Playing against Atalanta is never easy,” the Nerazzurri coach said.
“We’re focusing on Leverkusen. They’ve played with three at the back, four at the back – we’re ready for any formation.”
“We’re talking about a team with a very recognizable style of play, with an excellent coach who has brought his principles.”
“They attack building up from the back, press, go after the ball.”
“We’ll have to play a very careful match,” Inzaghi warned. “We’ll have to be as good as possible in both phases of play.”
Inzaghi Not Feeling The Pressure At Inter
Meanwhile, Inzaghi gave his thoughts on the pressure that he and his team are under.
“I coach Inter,” said the 48-year-old. “I’m lucky to have these guys, who have given me everything over the last three and a half years.”
“I know where I started from along with these players. We know where we’ve arrived.”
The Inter coach noted that “Before, the team struggled in Europe.”
“But we’ve created a great group along with the fans, the locker room. We,ve been on a great journey, which many think started in the Champions League final in Liverpool.”
“For me, that was important. But so was my first year here at Inter.”
“I think about the matches against Real Madrid and Liverpool,” Inzaghi said. “We played fantastically, and that filled me with pride.”
“It’s a journey that started a long time ago. And we have to keep improving, knowing what we’ve done but looking forward and not backwards.”
Meanwhile, Inzaghi was also asked about whether Inter’s contrasting defensive and attacking records between Serie A and the Champions League points to anything.
“The numbers are there to read,” said the Nerazzurri coach.
“In the Champions League the trend for goals has been one thing. In the league, another.”
“We have to increase our focus out of possession,” Inzaghi said of Inter’s league form. “But then in the last few matches we’ve done very well, allowing very little.”
“Tomorrow evening it will be important to keep up the way we’ve played in these matches,” he went on. “Considering we’re up against a team with a lot of quality.”
“They don’t give you any points of reference,” Inzaghi said of Leverkusen.
“We need to raise our tempo, focus, and aggression. We need to work as a team at our best.”
Coy On Serie A Title Race Vs Atalanta – No Favourites
Meanwhile, Inzaghi also gave his thoughts on whether Atalanta’s form in Serie A makes them favourites to win the title ahead of Inter and Napoli among others.
“It’s tough to say who the favourites are,” the Nerazzurri coach argued.
“I said on July 13th that it would be an exciting title race with a lot of teams in it,” he continued.
“It wouldn’t end the way the lat couple years have,” Inzaghi went on. Inter won by nearly twenty points last time out, while Napoli did so the previous season.”
“But it would be more balanced. And you can see that’s the case.”
“The teams at the top of the table have changed around. We also have two great teams in Lazio and Fiorentina, who are having extraordinary seasons.”
Meanwhile, Inzaghi also spoke about the form of striker Mehdi Taremi, expected to start tomorrow.
“I wanted to sign him, along with the club,” the Inter coach said. “Everyone loves him.”
“In the Champions League he’s started every match. And in the league, he played an extraordinary match against Lecce without Lautaro.”
“He understands that ther are four other strikers who want to play, just like this,” the Inter coach said of Taremi’s playing time.
“Lautaro and Thuram are the ones who have played the most. They’ve given me a lot.”
“In training they never hold back,” Inzaghi said of the two regular starters in attack.
“I’m spoiled for choice,” the coach beamed. “We know there’s a lot of competition for places at Inter.
Then the Inter coach noted that “Tomorrow there won’t be any competition in defense.”
“Because we’re missing Acerbi and Pavard. And then they’ve been joined by Dumfries.”
“We’re dealing with some issues at the back. But then we hope to get some players like Dumfries and Acerbi back for Monday [against Lazio next week].”
