As the Champions League returns for Inter Milan, set to face Atletico Madrid at San Siro, coach Simone Inzaghi addressed the media in the pre-match press conference. The upcoming match marks the first leg of the round of 16 in the competition. The initial act of this double-header will unfold in Milan, where the Nerazzurri aim to uphold their excellent form. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s side will seek to make an impact on the road. Inzaghi opened the press conference by reflecting on past Champions League experiences, stating:
“Last year, we experienced magical nights and we want to repeat that. There are great teams with the same ambition as us, like Atletico. In the last 4 games, they’ve fielded 22/23 players without changing their style. It will be tough, but we’ll give it our all, seeking to capitalize on the first 90 minutes at home. Are we favorites? They have experienced players; it will be a beautiful game between teams that play well and have solid principles. I think back to the matches with Liverpool and City in past years.”
Discussing his counterpart, Simeone, Inzaghi commented, “Tomorrow, it will be a pleasure to face Diego as an opponent. We have always stayed in touch since our time at Lazio, and he was a great teammate. It was clear he would become a great coach. In 13 years, he has won, if I’m not mistaken, 11 or 12 trophies. It’s not easy to stay so long in a team; you also have to win, and he has done it. What version of them do I expect? Predicting is not easy; they can change a lot, and they have improved a lot in ball possession and quality. We will face a great team with a great mentality, playing good football. Becoming the Simeone of Inter? It’s difficult; opinions change in 20 days. You have to work hard and be fortunate to have a group like mine.”
Inzaghi concluded by addressing player rotations and the league situation, stating, “Advantage in the league? In the last months of last year, we did well by changing 8/9 players. I can’t tell you what will happen. For the last few games, we have been able to recover well and prepare. Now we will play every 72 hours, and it will be more complicated. Everything has changed in 20 days; we are +9 from the second. Things can change; we don’t look at distant dates but focus on one game at a time, hoping to have as few injuries as possible. Sometimes I have to make tough choices, but the players are always available.”
