Inter, Inzaghi’s charge to the team before Juve: “Let’s go to Rome to defend our Cup”

After two days of tactical work in taking care of the distance between the departments, the preventive covers on the black and white restarts and the markings on who entered during the crosses arriving from the wingers, Simone Inzaghi knew that something more was needed also on a psychological level, some phrase that ignited the pride of the group. “We haven’t beaten them yet this year and it’s time to do it. We’re going to Rome to defend our Cup”: here is the meaning of his speech in yesterday afternoon’s technical meeting, the words that lit up the eyes… of the tiger in each of the players. Inter will truly defend “our cup”, which is the Coppa Italia won against the Lady last year at the Olimpico, thanks to a performance that comforted Inzaghi and his staff. The proof that everyone at Pinetina wanted.

DOMAIN BUT BEWARE

—

Those sentences were the icing on the cake, the decisive brushstroke after training sessions in which the Piacenza coach understood that the level of motivation in the group was very high and that, thanks to Empoli’s success, there was greater peace of mind than in the past. The coat of arms of the opponent helped to raise the level of attention of the group, but Simone still wanted to reinforce the concept. Tactically, the request was to dominate the game, also because Juventus currently allow it given their attitude (they tend to stoop to take advantage of counterattacks, especially this time they had Di Maria and Chiesa in the centre-forward version). Inzaghi then asked for balance or to attack in 5-6, but also to keep at least 4 players in cover, to avoid counter-attacks, and to keep the right distance between the departments. Objective achieved because Juve were only dangerous with a shot from Kostic in the first half and with a pocket from Milik for Chiesa in the second half. Inzaghi completed the work with substitutions, which arrived at the right time to give energy to the team that wanted to avoid being crushed. A signal that he has read the match correctly not only before, but also during its course. For everything to be perfect, it would have been necessary to score the second goal, but even so, after the ninetieth, the smiles were wasted.

VICTORY, BUT NOT ONLY

—

The success against Juventus, in addition to giving away the second final of the season after that of the Italian Super Cup, will give the impetus in view of the hunt for fourth place in the league. Lazio, who will have the whole week to prepare for Sunday’s match, are the most difficult opponents that Lautaro and his teammates could face. In three days there will be a minimum of rotation in the starting eleven because fresh forces will be needed, but now Inzaghi and his staff have the certainty of having a compact and united group, which will fight on all three fronts, despite a terrible calendar . The story is there, to be written, with a May-June to remember. Everyone in Eppan now knows this and no one wants to repeat the mistakes of the past.