Inter coach Simone Inzaghi feels that both of Danilo D’Ambrosio and Raoul Bellanova put in excellent performances in the team’s 3-0 Serie A win over Empoli this afternoon.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the match, via FCInterNews, the coach highlighted the important role that the duo played in the Nerazzurri’s performance after coming into the team.
Inter lined up with a heavily-rotated starting eleven at the Stadio Carlo Castellani this afternoon compared to the team that started against Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday, with nine changes made in total.
One of the most noteworthy inclusions was a rare start for wingback Bellanova, whilst D’Ambrosio was among a number of experienced players such as Stefan de Vrij and Samir Handanovic who came into the team.
Whilst neither of the pair were the absolute star player on the day – that would surely be the match-winner Romelu Lukaku – both showed that even when Inzaghi doesn’t call upon his most-used players, the coach can still get the response that he needs.
Of the decision to start the pair, the coach said that “It was a continuation of the work we’ve been doing.”
“You saw the match that D’Ambrosio and Bellanova had today,” he continued, “the former had some nagging injury problems in the first six months of the season, but last season he started in the final of the Coppa Italia.”
“Now I have everyone available in defense, and I’ll have to make some decisions which is by no means a problem.”
Inzaghi called this afternoon’s clash at the Castellani an “Important match, one of many that we have to play until the end.”
“We interpreted it well, we dominated the first half even if our circulation of the ball was too slow,” he added.
“Then once we scored we were unlocked, we won an important match that was massive to us.”
Of the availability of Romelu Lukaku, Inter’s hero on the day, Inzaghi said that “In any event, the important thing is that I have choices to make, which I wasn’t able to do until the winter break.”
“Now I have all the forwards available and fit, which is much less of a problem for coaches than not having any choices to make,” he added.
“I’m happy that he had his suspension lifted, it’s a signal that the FIGC are giving, particularly to young people – we must fight racism.”
Asked if this means that Lukaku will start against the Bianconeri this week, Inzaghi emphasized that “I’ve said it before, up until a couple of days beforehand, it’s possible to have ideas.”
“I have something in mind, but we’ll be on the pitch against in 72 hours,” he added.
Of the moments in the first half where Empoli were able to catch Inter out on the counter, Inzaghi said that “That’s how Empoli play, they have a specific formation.”
“Our ball circulation was too slow, we wanted to keep their fullbacks busy with our forwards, we had control overall despite the fact that we lost the ball in dangerous areas a couple times which meant we risked conceding, but otherwise a very good match,” he added.
