Simone Inzaghicoach ofInterpresents the match scheduled for tomorrow at 6pm against Juventus in a press conference. Live text by TMW.
12.10 – The press conference is scheduled to begin at 12.30.
12.30 – The press conference begins.
It’s always a match felt by the fans, how much does it matter to you?
“We all know the importance of the match, what it means for our club, for our fans, for ourselves. It’s the ninth of the championship and it certainly won’t be decisive, but it will be important. Two excellent teams who have practically had the same path”.
How is Inter, also on a physical level?
“We’re doing well, with a streak of five consecutive victories. Unfortunately we’ve had some problems, which will limit us in these matches until the break. The players are ready, tomorrow I’ll try to put the best possible lineup on the pitch.”
Inter and Napoli are favorites for the Scudetto according to Motta.
“You know how I feel about the grids, I think there will be many teams in the running. Many have invested a lot and have closed the gap, it will depend on many things. It will be a balanced championship”.
Who will play in the director’s chair and what can they contribute?
“We know what Calhanoglu represents for us, he is a top player in the world. His natural replacement is Asllani, if he gives me the right guarantees he will play: he is a player who has improved a lot over the years, his bad luck is having Hakan in front. Unfortunately he had a problem before Rome: yesterday he had his first training session, it didn’t go badly and we will have to evaluate. In the same role we would have Barella and Zielinski, I will carry this doubt with me until tomorrow evening.”
What is the next step of growth for Inter?
“Well, after a scudetto and a Champions League final one might think of stopping, but instead I want to continue improving with my staff. Football evolves, teams become more and more organized and we always have to do better. All the matches become difficult, that’s it think about the last one against a team that is struggling and has created difficulties for us. We have to improve day after day.”
Juventus concede little and produce little, can this change your attitude?
“Since I have been here we have played this match ten times and there has always been great balance, however two ended in extra time because they were finals. It will be a very balanced match: Juventus lost the first match two days ago, it is the best of Europe for goals conceded. It’s an excellent team with an excellent coach who I like a lot, he has made huge investments and will be protagonists all year round.”
How much has Juventus changed?
“He changed his principles, Allegri had his own and Motta has others. With Allegri there were always tight championships and tight finals, he is a coach I respect a lot like Motta: against Bologna there were very difficult games, now he coaches Juve and he has have had an excellent run so far, both in the league and in the Champions League.”
Last year, beating Juve at home set you off towards the Scudetto. What would winning tomorrow add?
“It would give great awareness, but in my opinion there are differences compared to the last championship: it was a return match, we are talking about another match. Now we are in the ninth season of the championship and we know what it represents, we will have to play a great match.”
Motta, like Conte, hid. You’ve never done it, does it bother you?
“I don’t know if it’s a strategy or something else, I can speak for myself. We know that we start from the beginning of the season with clear objectives, then ours is to play as many matches as possible to ensure we get as far ahead as possible in the cups and try to give satisfaction in the championship. Then there are 4-5 accredited teams like us, there are teams that have made huge investments.”
Where is Buchanan at?
“He had his first group training session yesterday, we waited and wanted him. He will be able to give us satisfaction, he is an excellent player who was fitting in well and had this problem. Now with Carlos’ absence there on the left we are in an emergency. but we saw Bisseck’s game in Bern on the centre-left. There is Darmian who can play there easily if necessary.”