Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi expects defender Milan Skriniar could still make a return before the end of the season.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina, as reported by FCInterNews, the coach looked ahead to the final and also updated on the potential fitness of Skriniar.
At the moment, Skriniar is still out injured.
The defender underwent back surgery last month, which has ruled him out of several matches.
However, the 28-year-old is reportedly back in training. Skriniar is still only fit enough to work individually rather than complete a full session.
However, this is a potentially positive sign that the Slovakian could bolster Inter’s defensive ranks for the run-in. He could be fit for next month’s Champions League final against Manchester City.
Skriniar is set to leave the Nerazzurri and join Paris Saint-Germain this summer. However, he could still have one or two matches left in an Inter shirt.
Inzaghi certainly doesn’t expects Skriniar back tomorrow, but he could yet be available.
Inter Milan Coach Expects Milan Skriniar Could Return From Injury
Asked about Skriniar’s fitness, Inzaghi replied that “He’s still not training with the rest of the team yet.”
“He’ll have a consultation on Thursday,” the coach said of Skriniar. “He could be back for the last two matches of the season.”
Inzaghi Has Always Felt Inter Milan Backing
The 47-year-old also made clear that he’s always felt the support of his club despite rumours.
Asked if this is the case, Inzaghi replied “Absolutely. I have a contract and I have never felt that it’s precarious.”
“I have always worked for 24 hours a day, with the rest of my staff,” he continued.
“And then we know that we’re always judged based on the results we get.”
CEO Beppe Marotta recently confirmed that there’s a “100%” chance the club will keep Inzaghi on.
No Favourites In Coppa Italia Final Vs Fiorentina
Inzaghi was asked if he feels there’s a favourite in tomorrow’s match against Fiorentina.
“It’s a final,” he replied.
“I’ve played in them as a favourite, and as an underdog,” he continued. “But it’s always a final.”
“We know who we’re up against, we’ve face on numerous occasions and this season we’ve both won and lost.”
“Our opponent is top-class, and they fully deserve to be in two finals,” he added.
“It will be an open match,” Inzaghi anticipated. “This being a final, we have to be a Team with a capital T, interpreting the different moments of the match the right away and swing them in our favour.”
Inzaghi Hopes His Reputation As Cup Specialist Can Continue
When it was pointed out that he has something of a reputation for great success in cup competitions, Inzaghi replied “Let’s hope that reputation can continue, because we have two finals, and matches games left in the league.”
“I’m pleased and I hope to continue that streak, but I have to thank the guys,” the coach continued.
“This season we’ve been through some less-than-happy moments, which we think about every day,” Inzaghi said.
“It’s never obvious that you’ll reach a Coppa Italia final, and then in the league we’ve gotten back in the table after some stebacks.”
Inzaghi also noted that “The Champions League final is unexpected for most people. But we’ve had hope for it ever since the draw was made.”
Asked what the secret is to dealing with such a packed fixture list is, Inzaghi replied “Think one match at a time.”
“There are four to go, and each is seemingly more important than the last.”
“The guys have played in many finals,” the coach said. “Tomorrow will be our sixteenth match in 53 days, and then there are four to go.”
“We’ve done well at managing our energy,” Inzaghi said. “We’re a bit disappointed at losing Mkhitaryan and Skriniar, but with so many matches it’s inevitable that there will be some of these absences.”
Inzaghi: Inter Milan Won’t Be Distracted Or Take Coppa Italia For Granted
Asked if Fiorentina could perhaps be a bit hungrier in tomorrow’s match, Inzaghi replied “No, because we know what kind of match we’ll have to play, and the exhausting journey that’s gotten us here.”
“In a very important moment of the season, we really wanted to get to the semifinal against Juventus,” he noted.
“We’ll do our best, we know who we’re up against. But we’ll try to bring the Coppa back home.”
And at the suggestion that Inter could be preoccupied by the upcoming Champions League final, Inzaghi said “Absolutely not.
“Because we know the sacrifices we’ve made.”
“The only thing that we definitely won’t be lacking is commitment,” the coach continued.
“Then we have an opponent, and like us they’ll want to bring home the trophy.”
“We’ll have to manage the situations in the match well together,” he said.
