Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has praised both Denzel Dumfries and Hakan Calhanoglu ahead of Inter’s match against Lazio at the weekend, according to a report in the Italian media.

Speaking during his press conference, as has been reported by FcINternews, Simone Inzaghi explained that Denzel Dumfries is ahead of schedule in terms of learning Italian and gelling with the team.

“In my opinion he is ahead of schedule. With language problems I thought it would take longer, instead he listens and trains in the best possible way.

“He has played more than half of the minutes available, he is a holder of his national team. I am very satisfied and will improve over time.”

He placed similar praise on Hakan Calhanoglu who some fans have become impatient with in recent matches.

“I am very happy because he has arrived, he is an integral part of the project. He never backs down. He took a bad sprain with Latvia and did everything to be available.

“I don’t know if he will play immediately or take over tomorrow. I am very happy, like his teammates.”

Inter’s preparation for the match has been disrupted by the international break and the difficulty in getting South American players back.

Simone Inzaghi said on the situation: “We know that there will be seven close matches as it was after the last stop. We will try to be ready, unfortunately, we were few here, but those who were there worked in the best way.

“The European national teams returned with a few small problems. account. Let’s wait for the South Americans.”

Simone Inzaghi said he has faced this situation before but then his team played on the Sunday rather than the Saturday.

“It happened with Sampdoria, but we played on Sunday. This time it is special, Sanchez and Vidal will not come to Rome and will stay in Milan.

“They will be useful for Tuesday, as well as Sensi who has trained discreetly in the group in the last few days still kicking with the right hand due to the sprain, but we hope to recover it if not from Tuesday for the next match.”

The coach clearly feels action needs to be taken against the international calendar and he is going to discuss the matter with his players and the federations.

“I will talk to the South Americans and we will see how they will be. In La Liga they have been good at postponing the matches, but it is a matter that had to be addressed at the beginning of the season.

“We know that we have other alternatives in those roles. I will have to evaluate how the South Americans will arrive in Rome.”

Simone Inzaghi is facing the team that he managed for five years previously and he has been quick to praise the job that Maurizio Sarri is doing at Lazio.

“I think Lazio have had some excellent matches. They are a very well built team, a new coach has arrived, very good at organizing the teams. They are having excellent matches but they lost the last one and therefore they will be angry and will want to play well.

“We will have to be clean, very good technically. We know that Lazio will do a lot of pressure, we have done very well in some games and others less. We will have to be good in the two phases.”

It will likely be emotional for Simone Inzaghi to return to Lazio as it was his home for 22 years and says he will accept whatever way the fans choose to receive him.

“Normal that it is not a match like the others, for me it is a return to a home that has been such for 22 years. It will be a great thrill to see the guys who have always given me everything and the people behind the scenes who are with me have always been special.

“In addition, seeing the Lazio fans who have been very important for me. We have enjoyed and suffered together in these years, reaching great goals that have not been achieved for a long time. I know there will be boos and applause, but it is part of the job. I will accept them, they know that I have always given everything as a player and coach.”

As for the much talked about relationship with Lazio President Claudio Lotito, Simone Inzaghi took the opportunity to thank them for giving him a chance in the first place.

“A lot has been said and heard, but I think he and Tare have been very important for my coaching career. Thanks to them I coached Lazio, I will never stop thanking them, knowing that we integrated well and achieved great results.”

Although Simone Inzaghi clearly still has a lot of love for Lazio, he says the Inter fans have welcomed him incredibly well.

“I immediately settled in great style. These fans are twinned with those of Lazio and they welcomed me like I didn’t think, from day one. With me and the team they have always been fantastic and every time we move away they are so many and they make you feel incredible warmth.”

Inter have a tough week as they also have a Champions League fixture against FC Sheriff, which Simone Inzaghi knows will be tough, saying: “It is certainly an important week. We will have to face one match at a time.

“Tomorrow it will be very difficult and we will have to do our best, then we will have the Champions League and Juve. They will all be very difficult.”

The boss kept his cards close to his chest in regard to who will start up front with Edin Dzeko, saying: “I have different solutions, there are Satriano, Perisic, Calhanoglu. I will evaluate Lautaro and Correa. Lautaro has played more than 80 ‘, Correa has taken over. I will have to evaluate.”