Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi has provided updates on the fitness of captain Samir Handanovic and striker Romelu Lukaku ahead of tomorrow’s match against Fiorentina.
Speaking to InterTV ahead of tomorrow evening’s Serie A clash, with coach explained that Handanovic is in the squad despite being unavailable through a hand injury, whilst he express optimism that Romelu Lukaku can play against Viktoria Plzen.
Inter travel to Florence tomorrow where they’ll be going in search of their third consecutive victory in the league.
They will have to do so without two important players, in the form of Handanovic and Lukaku.
The captain will be with the squad, but as Inzaghi explained, unable to play due to injury, with Andre Onana expected to start.
Meanwhile, striker Lukaku is no longer injured, but is not yet fit enough to play, and so will use the times to train back in Milan.
“Fiorentina are a difficult away match for everyone,” Inzaghi said, “this week we had a few more days to prepare, we managed to work quite well and we’re going into tomorrow’s match with confidence.”
Of the team’s upturn in form, the coach said that “Results give you self-belief, and so consequently wins are very important, we know that from now until the World Cup break we have a series of difficult matches both at home and away.”
He noted that “Every three days we’re under pressure, but we have to take it one match at a time with the right mentality, as we’ve been doing.”
Of the importance of stepping up in away matches, the coach noted that “On the road we have to do more, it’s normal that playing in our stadium in front of our fans gives us a big help, but we know that even tomorrow there will be many fans with us.”
Of the availability of striker Lukaku, Inzaghi said that “He’s been training partially with the rest of the group for two days, he clearly has to regain full fitness, but he’s very motivated.”
“He’s finally recovered from his injury, he won’t be with the squad for us in Florence, but he is working to be ready for Wednesday, he’s working to regain fitness and watching him train I’m optimistic for Wednesday,” the coach said of Lukaku.
And of Handanovic, Inzaghi said that “Handanovic is not available for tomorrow but he will travel with the team and support us, if necessary Cordaz is ready if he is called upon.”
Asked about the significance of the World Cup break for the season, the coach replied that “What matters is to focus on one match at a time, there are so many still to be played from now until the break, clearly we have reach that point in the best way possible.”
“There are five league matches yet to be played, and two Champions League matches, so there’s still a way to go.”
Of the Nerazzurri’s place in the Serie A title race, he said that “At this point we have to be realistic, the teams in front of us are doing well and there’s a gap for us to make up.”
“We’ve dropped some points already, the goal for us is to make those points up and to go through in the Champions League.”
