Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is happy with how his entire team played in their 2-0 Serie A opening day win against Monza.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the match, via FCInterNews, the coach also stayed tight-lipped regarding reports that the Nerazzurri are attempting to sign Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard this summer.
Inter got their season off to the start they’ll have been hoping for.
Against a Monza side that they were unable to beat last campaign, Inzaghi’s men played out a deserved 2-0 win.
This was just the kind of result and performance that the Nerazzurri needed to get into their groove after a chaotic summer transfer window.
And whilst new captain Lautaro Martinez was the match-winner with his brace, everyone had their part to play.
Inter Coach Simone Inzaghi Pleased With Entire Team Vs Monza
“We played a top match against a high-quality opponent,” Inzaghi said after the match.
“I’m satisfied with everyone,” the 47-year-old continued.
“I saw the kind of enthusiasm I want to see, including from the fans at the San Siro. The team had plenty of bright ideas.”
Of the competitive debut by new Nerazzurri signing Marcus Thuram, Inzaghi said that “He did what he had to do. He had an excellent match.”
“He attacked the space in behind when he had to. On a few occasions, he wasn’t very lucky.”
“And then the substitutions also did well,” the coach added.
“The first four need no introduction,” he said of Marko Arnautovic, Juan Cuadrado, Carlos Augusto, and Davide Frattesi. “And then Bisseck came on for Darmian. He gritted his teeth and put in a good shift.”
Asked about his description of Inter as like a “family” before the Champions League in June, Inzaghi replied that “That idea is very important for our principles.”
“The team has changed a lot because of some decisions at the club level, and also some individual decisions. But we still have an automatic way of playing.”
“We’re going again on the base of two seasons where we’ve done well,” Inzaghi continued. “But we still have a lot more that we have to do.”
The coach made clear that “We have to shore up the squad, because we’re obligated to make the fans happy. But the club is working hard to do that.”
Inzaghi Not Dropping Too Many Hints On Pavard
One player who Inter are reportedly making every effort to sign in the last couple weeks of the summer transfer window is Bayern defender Pavard.
Naturally, Inzaghi fielded a question about the Frenchman. However, the coach’s response didn’t reveal too much.
“They’re other clubs’ players,” the coach said of Inter’s transfer targets. “I don’t want to name any names.”
“We still lack cover in that role,” the coach said of the right-sided centre-back role, Milan Skriniar’s old position. “The transfer window is still unfolding.”
“You always have to watch out, because anything can happen,” Inzaghi said of the Nerazzurri’s transfer pursuits.
The coach made clear that “I asked the club to give me twenty outfield players, and three top-class goalkeepers, because I want competition for every position.”
“And then apart from that, we can also call upon two or three youngsters who also have quality.”
Inzaghi noted that “We’ve lost five players who were among the best in their position in Italy.”
“But I’m seeing the guys working with a smile, just the way I like to see.”
Of the possible selection dilemma if Marko Arnautovic can keep performing well in attack, Inzaghi replied “Let’s hope so! That’s never a problem.”
“When you’re at a club like Inter, you always have to have constant selection doubts, like last season in attack, and also this season. These are great problems to have!”
And at the suggestion that the arrivals of Carlos Augusto and Juan Cuadrado on the flanks could cause some discontent among the players already at the club in those position, Inzaghi replied forthrightly, “Absolutely not!”
“I know that I have intelligent players to work with. They know that there’s depth in every position.”
Inzaghi noted that “Playing at wingback you get up and down the pitch a lot. Therefore, in the 65th minute I changed the team up to give us a boost.”
