Inter coach Simone Inzaghi insisted that he remained hopeful that Milan Skriniar would sign a contract extension, after fans pleaded with him during yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Monza.
The Nerazzurri were held to a stalemate at the U-Power Stadium after twice throwing away the lead in a controversial match, but the travelling supporters unfurled a banner asking defender Skriniar to sign a new deal and commit his future to the club.
In an interview with Italian television broadcaster DAZN after the final whistle yesterday, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, Inzaghi claimed to be optimistic that Skriniar would choose to stay, as he enters the final six months of his existing contract.
“I see him very calm and serene, if Samir (Handanovic) doesn’t play then he is our captain,” Inzaghi declared.
“He’s 100% committed, I have an attentive club for these things and I know they are working to make something positive happen for the whole Inter world.
“I am always confident, I know how much he is in love with Inter and I think and hope it can be resolved.”
The coach was left furious after Inter controversially had a Francesco Acerbi goal disallowed at 2-1 up, due to a collision between two Monza defenders that was adjudged to have been a foul by Roberto Gagliardini.
As the whistle had gone before the ball went into the net, VAR could not be called upon to correct the decision and the goal was chalked off, leading to heavy criticism from Inzaghi.
“There is great anger because after five years of VAR, a goal was disallowed that would have finished off the game.
“It’s a serious error that takes away two points, but the 2-2 goal could have been avoided. There was a whistle there that did not exist, the Monza players fell between them and this penalised us,” the former Lazio tactician continued.
“We lick our wounds, there is a lot of disappointment but this is football. An episode like that will make people talk.
“It’s difficult to make an analysis. After the victories against Atalanta and Napoli, it’s a draw that slows us down but it shouldn’t bring us down. Every two or three years an incident can happen that takes away a victory you have gained, but you have to be stronger than that too.”
Despite the controversial circumstances of the draw, Inzaghi was unhappy with the way his team conceded in stoppage time, but was adamant that Inter could still challenge for the Serie A title.
“There was the incident and Lautaro hit the post that would have finished off the game, but I agree because it can happen. You have to be good on the final ball in the 93rd minute, you have to try to defend better. That’s out of the question.
“We are Inter, we must always aspire to the maximum. The draw slows us down, we were on a good streak. It’s an unexpected draw for what we saw, but we have to look match by match. Monza played a serious game, until you get to 3-1 you have to be very careful on the pitch.”
Nerazzurri striker Romelu Lukaku came off the bench in the second half but failed to impress and looked off the pace, but Inzaghi insisted that the Belgium international still needed time to recover his form and fitness after a season plagued by injuries.
“It takes time, he missed three months on the pitch. Against Napoli he did well, tonight a little less so but it’s not easy going into certain games.
“Those coming back from injury and also those who are back from the World Cup need to work, even if we have so many games coming up. We have to improve everyone’s condition for the tour de force that awaits us,” he concluded.
Inter must now turn their attention to the Coppa Italia, as they welcome Parma to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Tuesday.