Former Inter Milan striker Nicola Ventola believes that last season Simone Inzaghi grew out of feeling like he was still at Lazio.
Ventola Spoke to Italian outlet Il Quotidiano Sportivo, via FCInterNews. He praised the Nerazzurri coach for learning to make bold decisions and show his authority.
When Inzaghi arrived at Inter in the summer of 2021, there was always likely to be a period of adaptation.
It was not the same kind of situation as with the coach he replaced, Antonio Conte.
When Conte came in, he came in having already won league titles with Juventus and Chelsea.
The former Italian national team coach arrived with the clear expectation that he would win in the short term.
On the other hand, Inzaghi came in to steady the ship and steer the project in a new direction amid chaos off the pitch.
Ventola: Simone Inzaghi Understood He’s No Longer At Lazio Last Season
It is not as though Inzaghi did not arrive at Inter with a major reputation.
As Lazio coach, the former striker had in fact done one of the most impressive jobs in Serie A, winning the Coppa Italia and reaching the Champions League round of sixteen.
It was those kinds of performances and results that convinced Inter to appoint Inzaghi.
But the expectations are different at Inter.
This season, Inzaghi’s Nerazzurri team are living up to those expectations. Barring an extraordinary late collapse, they will certainly win the Serie A title.
And last season, Inter went as far as the final of the Champions League.
Former striker Ventola argued that “The path that he’s been on in terms of his growth began last season. When he understod that, with all due respect, he’s no longer at Lazio.”
“There he had thirteen or fourteen starters,” Ventola noted.
“But now he was at Inter, where every player in the squad is a potential starter.”
“He made important decisions,” the former striker said of Inzaghi.
“Dzeko, yes. Lukaku, no. Calhanoglu as the regista in defensive midfield, Brozovic out.”
“He made these big decisions with personality,” Ventola said.
“This made the team click. And then, obviously, they’re the strongest team in Serie A, and they play good football. But we must not forget that they’re also built with several free transfer signings.”
