Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi believes that his team were hard done by in the first leg of their Champions League round of sixteen tie against Liverpool and can still fight for quarter-final qualification in the second leg.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s second leg at Anfield, as reported by FCInterNews, the coach gave his thoughts on tomorrow’s massive match.

Inter put in an impressive performance in the first leg at the San Siro three weeks ago, especially considering the quality of the opposition that they were up against.

However, in the end the 2019 winner of the competition showed a little more experience to score two second-half goals, and defended stoutly to keep a clean sheet.

Now, the Nerazzurri have a mountain to climb in tomorrow’s second leg, but the coach believes that they can still spring a surprise especially if they manage to score an early goal.

“In the first leg the result was harsh on us,” he said. “We had a great match, the result was too harsh. This match will be difficult but we will play with great confidence and motivation.”

“We start at a disadvantage,” he acknowledged. “A goal in the first half would be important, I would say essential, but we know it will be a very difficult match.”

“We’ve had three days to prepare for it, the guys are focused and we worked well,” he added. “We face the strongest team in Europe along with Bayern Munich and Manchester City.”

“We’ll play in a great atmosphere,”he went on, “playing in the first leg was great, and tomorrow will be even more difficult than the match at the San Siro.”

Inzaghi reflected that “For many years Inter have not reached the Champions League round of sixteen. We deserved our qualification, the draw didn’t go very well for us but we knew that in coming second in the group we’d get a top-class opponent.”

“We approached the first leg in the best way,” he added, “we’ll do the same in Liverpool by playing the cards we have. We will do our best and continue to grow, because these are unique matches for both players and a coach.”

“Going there after a win is nice,” he went on, referring to Friday’s 5-0 win over Salernitana in Serie A. “We did well to make the game straightforward, unlocking it immediately and then dominating.”

“It was necessary, especially at in terms of out mentality,” he added. “Now we’re ready to face a great team tomorrow night.”

On the looming game in hand against Bologna in Serie A, Inzaghi said that “I would have liked to have played on January 6.”

“We have not been given the chance, there is an appeal and we are waiting to be told when it is possible to make up the match,” he added.

The coach continued that “We know the importance of the match we’re going to play. In this period there has been a great expenditure of physical and mental energy.”

“I think that matches like this give you great energy and we will try to face it in the best way,” he went on. “Tomorrow, as always, I’ll have to make some decisions.”

On the condition of the players, Inzaghi said that “Tomorrow everyone is called up except Barella who is suspended, and Kolarov who is out of the squad list.”

The coach also spoke about the club President Steven Zhang, stating that “The President has been here for a long time.”

He explained that “His closeness to us, and that of all the directors, Marotta, Antonello, Ausilio to Baccin, who are always here with us ready to help the team, makes me pleased.”

“It is important to me and the team,” he added.