Former Lazio midfielder Marco Parolo feels that Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has a real knack for getting it right with his team selection in the big one-off matches.
Speaking to Italian news outlet Repubblica.it, the former Biancocelesti man who worked with Inzaghi for several season suggested that the coach’s success in do-or-die cup matches is no coincidence.
It has certainly been noted over Inzaghi’s time at Inter that he has enjoyed greater success in cup competitions than in the league.
The 47-year-old was unable to defend the Serie A title in his first season in charge, whilst his second has been borderline disastrous after a recent run of bad form.
However, at the same time Inzaghi has brought the Coppa Italia, the Supercoppa Italiana twice, and the Champions League semifinals (and possibly even further).
This evening, the former Lazio boss has a chance to guide Inter to yet another Coppa Italia final, and for his part Parolo would not be too surprised to see him once again choose the right team to get the job done against Juventus at the San Siro.
Parolo described Inzaghi as “A coach who knows how to leave room for the players to do their thing.”
“He doesn’t lock them into overly oppressive tactical ideas, he accepts room for interpretation from individual players.”
“But at the same time, he prepares very well for the big matches with his staff, as is proven by the trophies that he’s already won,” he went on.
“It can come down to coincidence if it happens once, twice at most,” the former midfielder argued of Inzaghi’s success in cup competitions.
“Inzaghi knows how to choose the right players in the right matches, he knows how to bond with his players and perceive what they can give the team – he’s a coach who ‘feels’ the team.”
“At Lazio I realized how much he could pass on to us players.”
