Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi was coy when answering questions on if defender Milan Skriniar is fit to play Man City in Champions League final.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the Nerazzurri’s 3-2 win over Atalanta, via FCInterNews, the coach made clear that he expects Skriniar to return to training soon, but isn’t yet sure how ready he’ll be for the Champions League final.

Reports suggest that Skriniar will be back in training soon. The 28-year-old Slovakian international could even be in the squad as early as next weekend’s Serie A match against Torino.

Inzaghi has already stated that he expects this is a possibility.

This is a different matter, however, from Skriniar being fully match-fit and ready before the end of the season.

The former Sampdoria defender is recovering from lumbar spine surgery. Even if he does return to training soon, it will be a race against time to get up to speed for a hugely demanding match against a team like City.

Inzaghi: “Let’s See” If Milan Skriniar Fit To Face Man City

Asked about Skriniar’s prospective availability to face City, Inzaghi told Sky “He’ll be back in training with the rest of the squad next week. Let’s see.”

The Champions League final will be Milan Skriniar’s last ever match for Inter, whether he plays in it or not.

The 28-year-old will join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the summer.

Skriniar rejected a contract extension offer from Inter to sign for PSG. Nerazzurri CEO Beppe Marotta has admitted that this is still a sore point for the club.

Inzaghi Happy With Team Securing UCL For Next Season

The Inter coach then answered questions about securing qualification for next season’s Champions League stating: “I’m very satisfied. I’m happy.

“I congratulated the group because tonight was the most important match out of these eighteen games in 57 days,” he continued.

“We had to prepare to play Atalanta in two days,” he noted. On Thursday I let the guys stay at home because they were very tired after the final. We returned at half past five.”

“We haven’t listened much to the chatter, and we’ve worked a lot. I’m satisfied.”

Inzaghi then noted that “Now we have to rest. We’ve expended a lot and we have to get our energy back and also deal with some injuries.”

“Tonight D’Ambrosio had a minor problem,” the coach continued. But these things are normal. We hope to have these guys available for the final.”

Inzaghi Speaks About Rotation Of Lukaku, Lautaro & Dzeko

The Inter coach then answered questions about rotating strikers Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez, and Edin Dzeko.

“There are two weeks left,” he said.

“I’ll make my choices for the good of the team. Lautaro, Lukaku, and Dzeko have all taken turns in these matches,” he noted.

“As we’ve done in other positions. We’ve done an excellent job as a staff, and then the commitment that the guys have put in is commendable.”

Inter Milan Coach Admits: Man City Strongest Team In The World

Regarding Inter’s Champions League final opponents City, Inzaghi said that “They’re the strongest team in the world.”

“They will start as favourites,” he continued.

“But we have put everything into the final, and we will play for it with a lot of confidence.”

Inzaghi noted that “First we had to get through this match, which was the most important of these finals for our club.”

“If we think about where we were seven matches ago, we’ve made a great comeback to secure Champions League football with a match to spare.”

Inzaghi Also Full Of Praise For Andre Onana

The Nerazzurri coach also gave his thoughts on goalkeeper Andre Onana.

“A great goalkeeper,” he said of the Cameroonian.

“He’s tried to impose himself every day since he arrived. He’s sharing the position with Handanovic, who is still proving to be a great goalkeeper, as he attested to on Wednesday.

“Andre is a great goalkeeper and a great guy,” Inzaghi noted.

“I knew he would be. He’s a player with great experience as well as a great person, who’s never had the wrong attitude,” the coach said of Onana.

“When he’s been rested, he never batted an eyelid even though he might want to play,” he added.

“He’s just worked as he has to” Inzaghi concluded.