Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi spoke with captain Samir Handanovic on Friday evening to inform him that Andre Onana would be starting in goal against Sassuolo.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, who report that the Slovenian took the news of dropping to the bench well and was supportive of his younger colleague.
It had increasingly looked like a matter of when rather than if Onana would displace Handanovic in goal in the league, based on the Cameroonian’s Champions League displays.
However, until yesterday afternoon, captain Handanovic had still started all of Inter’s matches in Serie A.
Accordingly, Inzaghi had a difficult moment to get out of the way as he informed his captain that the switch would be made in yesterday’s match.
The coach spoke to the 37-year-old the evening before the match to inform him of the situation and his decision.
Handanovic was naturally disappointed with the coach’s choice, but also understood and respected it.
In the leadup to yesterday’s match the 37-year-old gave a rousing speech to the team in his capacity as captain despite not playing, and also gave some words of support to Onana ahead of the 26-year-old’s Serie A debut.
