Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi believes that tomorrow evening’s Champions League group stage clash with Viktoria Plzen will be important for the team’s season but not decisive.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the match, as reported by FCInterNews, the coach warned of the Czech team’s counterattacking strength, and also stated that he has already made his decision between Andre Onana and Samir Handanovic in goal for the match.
Inter will be hoping that they can take all three points from Plzen tomorrow, as they are facing their easiest opponent of the group stage on paper and can hardly afford to drop many more points from such a difficult group following opening day defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Inzaghi weighed in on the significance of the match, stating that “It’s undoubtedly an important match. We know we;ve ended up in the most difficult group in the Champions League this season, but we want to try and play for it.”
“The first match was not the best, we tried but Bayern were better than us,” he went on. “Now we know that this is not an easy match and can be full of pitfalls for us, but we’ll play in the best possible way.”
Asked if he considers tomorrow’s match to be a decisive one, the coach said that “Since there are still four to play, probably not, but we know the importance it has and that nine times out of ten you need at least ten points to progress from a group.”
“Last season we did well to reach the knockouts, this year we know that the group is more competitive, however,” the coach added. “Tomorrow we want to take our first points and move up in the table.”
Of the selection between Onana and Handanovic in goal, Inzaghi said that “I’ve decided, but at this moment in time I don’t want to say, the players don’t know it yet because we only had one training session.”
“This morning we were able to work on the video, not so much on the pitch,” he continued. “Tomorrow morning we will have the pre-match, and it’s right that they’ll be the first to know.”
Of the strengths of Viktoria, Inzaghi said that “They’re a physically strong team, which we’ve seen and analyze in the two matches against Qarabag and Barcelona.”
“They achieved qualification for the Champions League group stage on the basis of their performances at home, they have very good players in attack such as Chory, Mosquera, Sykora,” he continued.
The coach said that “They’re excellent players, and as a team they have great physicality and quick counters which they even proved in a difficult away match against Barcelona.”
