Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi delivered a strong message following his team’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Lazio, silencing critics and addressing the backlash that followed their recent defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
After the match, Inzaghi praised his players but also took the opportunity to respond to the criticism directed at him and his team. “Since we lost the derby, many people were just waiting for us to stumble,” he said. “Unfortunately, it happened in Leverkusen. A lot has been said, but like their coach, fortunately, my players don’t listen much and just keep working.”
The dominant win against Lazio allowed Inzaghi to release some of the frustration that had built up after the disappointing 1-0 loss in Germany. That match saw Inter field a rotated lineup and fail to register a single shot on target—a rare occurrence for a team that has been nearly flawless in Serie A this season. The criticism that followed included claims of excessive squad rotation and overly conservative tactics, accusations that clearly irked Inzaghi.
Dismissing these claims, he explained, “In Champions League matches, I’ve always used the same players who got us into the top eight teams in Europe. We hadn’t lost a game in three months, and even in Leverkusen, we only got half of it wrong—not the whole match, as the first half went smoothly except for one early scare. It was also the perfect opportunity to rest those who can’t stop in Serie A.”
The resounding victory over Lazio not only reaffirmed Inter’s strength but also served as a statement of intent in both Serie A and Europe. Goals from six different players—Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, Denzel Dumfries, Carlos Augusto, and Marcus Thuram—highlighted the depth and quality of Inzaghi’s squad.
Inzaghi’s comments also seemed to address external pressure from rivals such as Napoli’s coach Antonio Conte and president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Both had made remarks suggesting that Inter’s superior squad depth should guarantee them success. Without naming names directly, Inzaghi’s defiant tone hinted at his awareness of these provocations: “We’ll let the pitch give its verdict.”
As Inter prepares for a busy schedule that includes Serie A fixtures and the Supercoppa Italiana, Inzaghi remains focused on maintaining consistency and silencing doubters. “These lads have been giving me huge effort for three and a half years,” he said. “I am very proud to be their coach. We’ve achieved nothing yet, but this was an important win against a team in great form.”
