Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi does not expect that the muscle injury picked up by Stefan de Vrij earlier this evening should be a major issue.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster DAZN after the team’s 2-0 Serie A win over Hellas Verona, the coach gave his immediate reaction to the match including to the injury which forced de Vrij off at halftime.
Inter cruised to a controlled 2-0 victory to catch up at the top end of the Serie A table, seeing off a Gialloblu team who have caused everyone in the division problems throughout the season comfortably.
The one dark spot on the evening for the Nerazzurri is the fact the de Vrij was only able to play 45 minutes on his return to the team from a calf injury, having sustained a different muscle injury.
However, according to Inzaghi, the injury does not look to be something to worry about too much for the run-in of the season.
The coach characterized the injury as “Just some flexor fatigue. It shouldn’t be anything serious, but let’s wait and see. We know how important he is to us.”
Of today’s win, he said that “We knew how strong Verona are, we prepared for this match well. We had to approach it well.”
“We did very well in the first half,” he continued, “and then kept it under control in the second half. The team did what it had to do, we send a message. We had to show consistency after winning in Turin.”
Of the start for Federico Dimarco in defense, the coach explained that “Dimarco has very significant qualities. In Naples he had done very well, and Bastoni is still recovering from a big match.”
“Everyone has always done their part when they’ve played, and today we thought he was needed,” he added.
“The mentality matters a lot,” Inzaghi went on. “We just came from a draining performance in a big match, and in the last few match the results haven’t arrived.”
“Our heads were heavy,” he explained, “we couldn’t play as we had before. It happens to everyone. It was good to win with Juve, and then good to follow up today against a team who are difficult to face and in good form.”
Of the team’s Serie A title pursuit, Inzaghi said that “I’ve always had confidence because I know the path we’re on. I knew of the risk of coming into the Italian champions who were losing important players.”
“But the club and the fans have always been close to us,” he continued, “everyone has understood that these sacrifices had to be made.”
“But we’ve having a great journey this season,” the coach went on, “we’re where we need to be and we’ll play the seven matches remaining to be played in the best way.”
Of the team’s clinical display, he said that “Against teams like Verona this is decisive, we had prepared for this match very well.”
“The guys did well,” he added. “Clearly the victory in Turin gave us great confidence, even if mine has never faltered. We have already brought home the Supercoppa and I know that coaching Inter criticisms can sometimes come.”
Of the second half tactical change to put Robin Gosens on for Joaquin Correa and move Ivan Perisic into the attack, Inzaghi explained that “Gosens is growing up into the team, he needs to play. But Ivan is fine.”
“Correa had taken a blow to the knee, was running badly and I was afraid of another injury. Perisic attacks the space in behind very well,” he added.
On what he sees as a possible advantage over rivals AC Milan and Napoli, the coach suggested “Just having already won today. We’re equal in quality, we’re all in it and we will have to fight in every match.”
